Istanbul Barometer July Report: Istanbul Residents Cannot Attend Events Due to Ticket Prices
According to the Istanbul Planning Agency's July research, a significant portion of the city's citizens stay away from artistic activities due to economic conditions and high fees.
The July issue of the Istanbul Barometer, published by the Istanbul Planning Agency, revealed the culture and entertainment habits in the city. Nearly half of the survey participants stated that they could not attend any events in the past year due to expensive tickets and admission fees.
Participation Rates in Culture and Arts Events
According to the research conducted by the Istanbul Planning Agency within the body of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, 45.8 percent of Istanbul residents did not take part in any culture and arts events in the past year.
Among those who attended events, concerts were the most preferred field with 33.9 percent, followed by theater and stand-up shows with 21.8 percent, and art gallery and museum visits with 21.2 percent.
The Biggest Obstacles to Attending Events
According to the research findings, economic conditions constitute the biggest obstacle to participation in culture and arts activities. 45 percent of the participants pointed to high ticket and admission fees as the primary obstacle.
Along with high costs, 38.1 percent of the participants stated that they could not find enough time due to work and school intensity, drawing attention to time constraints.
Reductions in Spending and Social Life
Citizens had to reduce their social spending due to economic difficulties. In the past year, the area where the most cuts were made was social venues such as restaurants and cafes with 41.4 percent.
On the other hand, 39.8 percent of the participants stated that they did not make any cuts in their culture and entertainment spending, while the rate of those who made cuts on concert and theater tickets was measured at 37.6 percent.
Digital Content Consumption and Leisure Time Balance
The shift towards digital channels instead of physical events also found a place in the report. While 56.9 percent of the participants advocated physical participation, 28.5 percent stated that they preferred digital content and social media.
Istanbul residents' average daily digital entertainment consumption time was calculated as 3 hours and 8 minutes, while the average free time outside of work and basic necessities was determined as 3 hours and 44 minutes.