Muscat - While Oman is working on its ambitious National Museum project and the upcoming maritime history museum in Sur, the number of visitors to the Natural History Museum in Al Khuwayr has seen a sharp decline over the past six years. From over 33,000 in 2006, the number of visitors stood at around 19,000 in 2012, a decline of about 42 per cent.
The Natural History Museum, set up in 1985, comes under the supervision of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MoHC). According to a chart about visitors displayed inside the museum, the number in 2012 stood at 19,252. This was 345 people less than 19,597 in 2011.
In 2010, the number of people who visited the museum stood at 23,256, while the number in 2009 was 21,389. There were 26,558 visitors in the year 2008, 27,975 in 2007 and 33,042 in 2006.
Visitor records for 2012 also reveal that non-Arabic speakers constituted a large number of visitors. The total number of visitors in 2012 included 9,320 from schools, 9,765 Arabic, Non-Arabic and GCC visitors, as well as 167 official delegates.
Citing reasons for the decline in footfalls, Azza al Jadri, museum specialist, MoHC, said, "There are many reasons. Due to difficult events taking place in the Arab region, the number of foreign tourists to Oman has come down.
"Many think the ticket charges are high. And since there has been no new development in the museum since 1986, citizens do not wish to see the same things time and again."
Ticket charges to the museum are 200bz for children, 500bz for nationals and RO1 for foreigners.
"However, we are planning a new natural museum in Qurm, and we will shift certain exhibits of this museum there. Once the new museum is set up, we might close the Natural History Museum. We have to wait till then," she added.
The museum showcases botanical gardens as well as Oman's indigenous animals, insects and birds.
© Muscat Daily 2013
