Amsterdam city council is to look into the way tourist agencies sell entrance tickets to museums to find out if arts and culture subsidies are being used to offer discounts.

Some agencies and cruise ship operators are selling the tickets at discounted rates, and this could mean the museums are offering bulk deals at below the standard price, councillors say.

The city subsidises museums to the tune of €134m a year but could indirectly be propping up agencies who are making money on the sale of tickets, D66 councillor Marijn Bosman said during Wednesday night’s council meeting.

D66 says bulk sales are only acceptable if the discounts are benefiting society, such as groups of school pupils.