Final answer:
The phrase "like flies around a honeypot" indicates that people were strongly attracted to and numerous at the tulip marts, much like flies attracted to a sweet substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "like flies around a honeypot" suggests that those who frequented the tulip marts were attracted and numerous. This metaphor indicates a large group of people or entities being strongly lured to a particular place or object, similarly to how flies are irresistibly drawn to the sweet scent and potential nourishment of a honeypot. In the context of tulip marts, it implies that a crowd of eager individuals flocked to these markets, likely due to the prospect of profit or the fashionable appeal of tulips during the period known as Tulip Mania in the Dutch Golden Age.