Wednesday 14 / May / 2025
Muscat: The international conference titled “Museums and Their Role in Tourism Development” will launch next Sunday at the Oman Across Ages Museum, with participation from over 42 researchers, academics, and experts from 21 countries.
The event is held under the patronage of Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and is organized by the Oman Across Ages Museum in cooperation with the National Records and Archives Authority and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Spanning three days, the conference aims to highlight the role of museum and heritage institutions in tourism development and the preservation of cultural components. It also seeks to promote museum-based tourism, the cultural economy, and associated investment opportunities.
Moreover, it will address the educational and knowledge-based role of museums through academic partnerships and the integration of modern digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to enrich visitor experiences.
Another key goal is to foster the exchange of expertise both locally and internationally in this field.
Workshops and accompanying exhibition
The international conference will feature six specialized workshops as a core component to enhance the outcomes of the event. These workshops will focus on key museum-related issues and provide a platform for interactive knowledge-sharing among participants.
Topics include digital technologies, museum management, community engagement, and cultural content development, bridging theoretical approaches with practical applications.
An accompanying exhibition will also take place, featuring contributions from both governments and private institutions, alongside prominent researchers and academics. The exhibition aims to showcase the cultural and economic dimensions of museums and to highlight their growing societal and tourism roles.
Promoting knowledge-based roles
Commenting on the significance of the event, Moza Al-Wardiyah, Assistant Director General for Museum Affairs, stated that the conference represents a strategic opportunity to spotlight museums as dynamic cultural and economic drivers.
She emphasized that Oman's hosting of such a distinguished group of specialists underscores the country's commitment to enhancing the intellectual and societal roles of museums.
This, she noted, supports sustainable development goals and strengthens national efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage through tourism. Al-Wardiyah added entities that the collaboration among organizing reflects a spirit of institutional synergy and affirms the importance of leveraging culture and heritage as a sustainable economic resource that strengthens identity and enriches the visitor experience.
Royal Orchestra to accompany the event
As part of the conference's side events, the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will perform two musical evenings on Sunday and Monday. The programme will include ‘The Epic of Ahmed bin Majid, offering an artistic experience that celebrates Oman’s maritime history and immortalises its civilisational legacy.
This participation provides a valuable opportunity to experience the event in its historical and artistic dimensions, complementing the conference’s cultural message through musical storytelling.
