ANP/Hollandse Hoogte/Marlies WesselsVisitors to a cinema watch the Taylor Swift film
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 13:07
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Roeland Müller
Economics Reporter
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Roeland Müller
Economics Reporter
The Netherlands has emerged from a mild economic recession again, partly because we spend a lot on culture and recreation, it was announced last week. Cinemas, museums and theaters received many more visitors in 2023 than the year before.
The Dutch Association for Cinemas and Film Theaters (NVBF) saw the number of cinema tickets sold increase by 27 percent in 2023 to almost 32 million. According to chairman Boris van der Ham, this is not only due to major international titles such as Barbie in Oppenheimer: “The walk to the cinema has been found again. An older audience is also coming again. The halls are often full again and also a Dutch production such as Tatta’s scores well.”
This is also noticeable in Cinemagold in Veldhoven, one servicebioscoop with extensive drinks menu. In 2023, director Joop Hamers saw the number of visitors increase by 28 percent compared to the previous year. “The recovery after corona is really continuing. The number of subscribers has also doubled.”
The public is also returning to the cultural center De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen (with theater, cinema and library). Director Hanneke Bruggeman: “Last year things went much better than hoped and expected. People want to see something beautiful again and be inspired.”
However, visitor numbers are not yet at the level before the corona crisis. According to Bruggeman, this is partly due to the fact that life has become more expensive: “People make more conscious choices. Do I go away for a weekend, to a restaurant or to an amusement park.”
Consumption helps the Netherlands out of recession
The Netherlands emerged from a mild recession in the last quarter of 2023. This is mainly due to the consumer. Spending on culture, recreation and sport grew by far the fastest. 3 percent more was spent on this than the previous quarter. In 2023 as a whole, 6 percent more was spent on culture, recreation and sport than in 2022.
Until now, cinemas have managed to limit price increases and according to Van der Ham there is not much room for this: “Everyone goes to the cinema, people from all walks of life. A more expensive ticket quickly has a negative impact on the visit.”
Whether 2024 will be a good film year again remains to be seen, says Van der Ham (NVBF). Fewer films may be delivered due to a writers’ strike in Hollywood, which lasted five months in 2023.
Museums, theaters and events
The museums also receive many visitors. Definitive visitor figures are not yet available, but based on the number of visitors with a museum annual pass, the Museum Association expects a record in 2023.
Theaters and major events are seeing visitor numbers rise. Boris van der Ham, who is also chairman of the trade associations of free theater products (VVTP) and event makers (VVEM), makes a comment: “Musicals and cabaret are doing very well, but lesser-known productions are having a more difficult time.” Events also attract many visitors, says Van der Ham, but they suffer from high costs.
2024-02-19 12:07:11
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