According to statistics gathered by payment company JCC, between July 2004 and December 2015, Turkish Cypriot spending in the south was recorded as reaching €184.6m, whilst Greek Cypriot spending in the north and in Turkey was recorded at €107.9 million.

The spending figures appeared in the Turkish Cypriot press, citing JCC, which released the credit card payment statistics. According to JCC in 2015, Turkish Cypriots spent close to €17m in the south, compared to €12m spent by Greek Cypriots.

According to the data, Turkish Cypriots mostly used their credit cards to purchase domestic items from supermarkets and home goods, as well as airline tickets. Airline ticket spending increased after the closure of Cyprus Turkish Airlines.

Greek Cypriot spending mainly focused on airline tickets, hotel accommodation and shopping. Around 35-40% of the spending by Greek Cypriots was registered in Turkey. The remainder of the spending, however, was seen in casinos in the north.

Whilst 2015 was seen as the year Greek Cypriots spent the most in the north and Turkey (€11.7m), Turkish Cypriots spent the most in 2012 with €17.6m in credit card bills.

Source: InCyprus