Shopping districts and stores have turned vibrant prior to New Year's Eve. TL 2.5 billion ($650 million) in turnover is expected in the retail and tourism sectors this year. The occupancy rate has reached 90 percent in hotels, while shopping sprees have already started at stores.

The retail and tourism sectors have leaped up prior to New Year's Eve and retailers expect a shopping turnover of around TL 2 billion in December. Store owners predict an increase of 80 percent in sales turnovers. During the New Year's holiday, which falls on the weekend this year, about 250,000 people will be going on vacation, including 200,000 package tours and 50,000 individuals. Tourism professionals also expect an increase of TL 500 million in revenue.

Sinan Öncel, the chairman of the United Brands Association of Turkey (BMD), said gift shopping and campaigns made on New Year's Eve contribute at least 20 percent to the December turnover of the retail sector, while in some product categories, the rate can reach as high as 70 to 80 percent. He added that an economy of about TL 2 billion will be formed this year.

Kiğılı General Manager Hilal Suerdem said that the brands mainly focusing on winter products have experienced a loss of 15 days due to the hot weather and that by the beginning of the year they will close the loss and increase their turnover by at least 12 percent.

Saat&Saat Chairman Ramazan Kaya said the watch retailer has experienced a 33 percent increase in December sales and will close the month with a turnover of at least 30 percent.

Panty-hose seller Penti Chairman Sami Kariyo, on the other hand, noted that they expect a 25 percent increase in turnover compared to November, saying that they are expecting a sales boom in the night wear category, which is considered home-wear.

"Sales will increase by double digits," Teknosa General Manager Bülent Gürcan said.

GittiGidiyor General Manager and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) E-Commerce Council Chair Öget Kantarcı stated that a double-digit increase is expected in sales compared to the e-commerce sector due to the effect of the New Year.

Kantarcı also noted that they expect to see at least a 15 percent increase in December sales compared to November at GittiGidiyor.

According to a survey by GittiGidiyor, one out of every two people is planning to buy New Year gifts for their loved ones. The segment between the ages of 18-35 prefers to make New Year's shopping on the internet by 67 percent. Grocery shopping leads the way in spending by 49 percent.

Prontotour Chairman Ali Onaran said sales increased by 30 percent this year compared to the same period last year.

"We will carry about 3,000 people abroad. We have filled 90 percent of our quota. This year Bulgaria's skiing tours and Northern Lights tours are attracting great attention. Especially tours of three days and two nights are of high interest," Onaran said.

He emphasized that they do not reflect much of the mobility in their tours, noting that when the exchange rate reached 4.54, they fixed it at 4.34.