Muscat – The number of licensed private museums and heritage houses in Oman rose to 22 by the end of November 2025, reflecting growing public participation in preserving the sultanate’s cultural heritage, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) stated.

The privately run institutions are spread across several governorates and focus on documenting and presenting Omani history, traditions and culture. In Muscat governorate, these include Bait al Zubair Museum, Bait Adam Museum and the Place and People Museum. Dhofar hosts the Dhofar Private Museum and Rakhyut Fort Museum, while Madha Museum operates in Musandam.

Dakhliyah accounts for a significant share of licensed sites, including the Gateway of the Past Museum, Nizwa Museum, Bait al Sharaf Museum and Bait al Safa Heritage House. In North Batinah, the licensed institutions include the Sons of Majan Museum, Amjad Oman Museum and the Land History Museum. Other facilities include Bidiyah Museum in North Sharqiyah, Al Hamidi Heritage Museum in South Sharqiyah, Bait al Ghasham Museum in South Batinah and Bait al Manzafah Museum in  Dhahirah.

MHT has also granted 18 preliminary approvals for new private museums and heritage houses in different governorates. These projects are currently completing technical and administrative requirements to obtain final licences.

Speaking on the importance of the sector, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Mansouri, Director of the Department of Museums and Private Heritage Houses at MHT, said the ministry places strong emphasis on supporting private initiatives by providing promotional platforms and highlighting the efforts of museum founders.

“These institutions function as educational, research and cultural spaces that reinforce national identity and enable future generations to engage with Oman’s civilisation,” he said. He added that private museums also contribute to employment opportunities for Omani youth and support the cultural economy.

According to Mansouri, private museums and heritage houses are an essential component of Oman’s wider museum framework. In coordination with relevant authorities, the ministry regulates and licenses these institutions to ensure the preservation and proper presentation of cultural heritage. He also praised citizens who have taken initiatives to collect, preserve and display heritage artefacts.

MHT stated that licensed institutions are subject to continuous administrative and technical supervision, both before and after final approval. This includes compliance with regulations governing private museums and heritage houses under Ministerial Decision No 262/2010, as well as regular field visits to assess performance and development needs.

In recent years, MHT has provided financial support to improve museum infrastructure and exhibition standards. Nine private museums and heritage houses benefited in the first phase, with upgrades covering display methods, exhibition cases, labels, lighting, air-conditioning and security systems, alongside maintenance and restoration work. The ministry also organised specialised workshops on collection management, promotion, museum security and professional ethics.