New restrictions placed on museum card by ministry

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The greatest number of museum cards was sold at the Topkapı Palace Museum, according to the ministry, which places limitations on use of the card.

Holders of the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Müzekart (Museum Card) will no longer be permitted to use the card to visit the same museum more than once in a year, following new changes made Jan. 1.

“This limitation is not being implemented out of commercial concerns. It is already known that the Müzekart is not a commercial product for the ministry, but we need to protect our cultural artifacts. The physical capacities of the museums should not be exceeded,” Culture and Tourism Ministry Central Directorate of Working Capital (DÖSİM) Director Murat Usta said.

3.6 million cards sold

The Müzekart, which is sold for 30 Turkish Liras, previously granted unlimited access to all museums and ancient sites affiliated with the ministry for an entire year. Usta said 3.6 million Müzekarts had been sold since 2008. “The number of Müzekarts sold in 2012 was 843,019.”

A recent increase in sales stems from the provision of personal accident insurance to holders of the cards, he said. “Holders do not have to pay extra costs for this insurance. People buy it for 30 Turkish Liras and get insurance against possible accidents for up to 10,000 liras throughout the year.”

The greatest number of cards was sold at the Topkapı Palace Museum, the director said, adding that the turnstile system that reads the cards was present at 54 museums throughout the country.

Usta also said there were three types of cards, the Müzekart, Müzekart Plus and Museum Pass Istanbul. The director further said they were planning to offer regional cards in the near future. “The regional cards will include the southern province of Antalya and the Aegean region. We also want to make limited-duration cards for special days like Christmas, national holidays and semesters.”