More people have a Museumkaart, and digital cards are popular

A record 1.54 million people in the Netherlands now have a Museumkaart, which entitles the holder to free or reduced admission to 500 museums across the country, the Dutch museum association said on Thursday.

The introduction of digital cards is partly behind the 3.2% increase, the association said. Around one third of all cardholders now have a digital version.

Cardholders made 9.7 million museum visits last year, an average of 6.5 per person. Research by the association suggests cardholders are almost three times as likely to visit a museum as those without a card, and they also spend more money in museum cafés and shops.

Cards cost €75 for adults and €39 for under-18s, roughly equivalent to three to four museum visits. The proceeds from the cards are divided among all the museums that take part in the scheme.

Museum cards are also popular among the international community. Research by the international advisory platform ICAP suggested that around half the country’s international residents have one.