Istanbul to offer shopaholics a feast


The sixth Istanbul Shopping Fest, one of Turkey's biggest tourism, shopping and urban branding projects, will be held in July. Co-organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Istanbul's Chamber of Commerce with support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Governorate of Istanbul, the festival will offer a chance for discount shopping and exclusive campaigns.The festival spirit will take over the city, and a shopping craze will rule everywhere from shopping malls to historical markets. The Istanbul Shopping Fest will also offer discounts of up to 70 percent for world-renowned brands. Hicran Özbük, the general manager of the festival, said the fest, which will run between July 1 and July 31, has an important piece of the city's cultural identity."The Grand Bazaar, which has been one of the most important trade stops throughout the centuries, is considered the oldest shopping center in the world. The Istanbul Shopping Fest, on the other hand, aims to revive a tradition that is a part of Istanbul, which has earned the title as 'the capital of trade and shopping'," she said, adding that their primary aim is to promote Istanbul, which is a hub for its culture, gastronomy and entertainment options, and increase the number of tourists visiting the city. This will make Istanbul one of the top five destinations in the world by amplifying its shopping potential. Noting that Shopping Fest brings the modern and traditional together, Özbük promised that the festival will deliver an experience unique to Istanbul.