The Istanbul Shopping Festival was only established in 2011 but is fast becoming a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - June 13th, 2012 - From the 9th to the 29th of June Istanbul will become a spectacle unto itself as thousands of shoppers descend upon the city.

Whilst shopping is the main purpose of the festival, as Istanbul seeks to raise its international standing as a retail destination, there is plenty going on otherwise. Impressive street shows, which invariably include bystanders, entertain huge crowds and there will be many competitions which a free to enter with great prizes to be won.

As the festival encompasses the entire city, visitors will be able to pick from their choice of hotels in Istanbul. However, those hotels located particularly close to the major shopping centres may be particularly popular so don’t delay making your travel plans too long!

Some 90 shopping centres in Istanbul will be open for 24 hours a day for the duration of the festival so visitors will quite literally be able to shop until they drop! Shopping centres like Sapphire Bazaar will see thousands of visitors come and go as Istanbul aims to surpass the glamorous Dubai Shopping Festival. With scores of discounts, special events, and the ever important tax rebates that are on offer the Istanbul Shopping Festival is certainly putting its best foot forward.

The majority of visitors to the festival come from Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia but European shoppers should not miss out. Plan a well-deserved holiday to Istanbul this June and make the most of this great shopping extravaganza!

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