istanbul
The number of once-popular internet cafes has fallen by a total of 80%, with 360 closed in the past three months alone due to rising costs of computers and rentals and the proliferation of smartphones.
Back in the heyday of the neighborhood economy, when not every household had access to a computer or the Internet, Internet cafes shined as vital hubs for socializing and gaming. However, in recent years, its popularity has declined.
Ilhan Tashkrilan, chairman of the Istanbul Internet Cafe Owners Association, said rising computer prices, rising rents and the proliferation of smartphones are seriously hurting the industry.
In the past three months alone, 360 internet cafes have closed and only six new ones have opened. The total number of Internet cafes in Turkiye has decreased sharply from 27,000 to 5,000.
Tashkrilan attributes this decline primarily to rising costs. The initial investment required to open an Internet cafe has soared, with the price per computer used to cost him 15,000 Turkish Liras (about $465) and now costs up to 80,000 Turkish Liras (about $2,500). has reached.
In addition, computers need to be replaced every four years, creating a significant financial burden for cafe owners. Rising rental prices and the proliferation of smartphones have further exacerbated the challenges faced by internet cafes.
While traditional internet cafes continue to close, some businesses are pivoting to modern arcades. Particularly popular among people born in the 1990s, his cafes are turning into gaming hubs, and in more technologically advanced establishments he charges customers as much as 40 lire ($1.25) per hour. I will charge you.
Tashkuran pointed out that internet cafes have become gaming centers, and emphasized that these cafes continue to maintain their importance in some districts of Istanbul, such as Esenurt, Baclar and Bacělievler. Many have migrated to gaming salons, offering lucrative investment opportunities. Currently, an arcade with 100 computers can generate revenue ranging from 400,000 liras ($12,440) to 600,000 liras ($18,660) per month.
