Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in museums in Andalusia. Statistical analysis and evaluation of digital and economic resources in the dynamization of visits

This article develops a quantitative and qualitative analysis focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its scope as a social phenomenon in the field of muse-ums managed by the Department of Culture and Heritage of the Andalusian Region-al Government. Methodologically, the repercussion of physical visits was analysed through statistical data, assessing the decrease in visitors during the pandemic peri-od. Qualitatively, the procedures followed by the different museums studied to con-tinue offering the virtual exhibition of their collections through digital platforms and the different applications focused on interaction with the public were evaluated. Fi-nally, the economic measures adopted by the Autonomous Government of Andalu-sia and the Spanish Government to boost cultural visits, and especially visits to museums, were evaluated. The results have not only revealed a recovery in the num-ber of visitors, still below pre-pandemic levels, but also that the digital activity and online resources of the museums analysed are still far from other practices devel-oped by American or European museums.