Manah: Oman Across Ages Museum has recorded approximately 940,000 visitors since its opening on 13 March 2023 through the end of January 2026, according to official statistics.
Omani visitors accounted for 770,000 of the total, representing 82 percent. The figures exclude thousands who attended seminars, lectures and national or social events hosted in the museum’s halls.
Eng. Al Yakdhan Abdullah Al Harthy, Director General of the Museum, told Oman News Agency that 90 percent of Omani visitors belong to family groups from various governorates, reflecting the museum’s success in strengthening youth engagement with national heritage and history.
In 2025 alone, visitor numbers exceeded 204,000, including 134,669 Omanis, 31,922 foreign tourists, 3,317 GCC visitors and 25,114 residents from across the governorates. Additionally, 77,828 school students visited the museum during the year. More than 44,000 visitors were recorded in November and December, while over 62,500 visited during the summer months (May–August).
Visitors spend an average of two hours exploring the exhibition halls, though some remain for more than four hours. Reading the full exhibition content would require three to four continuous days, he noted.
The museum’s strategic location has contributed to rising visitor numbers, given its proximity to key heritage and tourism sites such as the Aflaj irrigation systems, the archaeological remains of Bat and Bahla Fort. Its location near Nizwa also positions it as a gateway for travelers heading to Dhofar, Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams.
Al Harthy stated that the museum’s opening, alongside subsequent tourism projects, has contributed to doubling hotel room capacity in A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, integrating visitors’ experiences across historic neighborhoods, traditional souqs, archaeological sites and local cuisine.
The museum is set to celebrate its third anniversary on 13 March, with this year’s event dedicated to its employees.
The number of international tourists has more than tripled, supported by helicopter access services operated by Al Sharqiya Aviation. The museum also serves as a starting point for one of the annual stages of the Tour of Oman.
During 2025, the museum implemented 66 educational programmes attracting 26,700 participants, including students, families, youth and persons with disabilities. Topics covered heritage, identity, sustainability, technology and entrepreneurship.
The museum has obtained membership in the International Council of Museums (ICOM), contributing to increased foreign visitor numbers and enhancing its economic impact. Al Harthy noted that Omani museums generate around 40 percent of the Sultanate’s tourism income.
He also highlighted the museum’s role in preparing an emergency protection plan for museums under the national risk reduction system, in cooperation with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority and other entities, including field simulation exercises.
Institutionally, the museum maintains cooperation with academic bodies such as University of Nizwa and German University of Technology in Oman, in addition to a cooperation agreement with Qatar Museums.
