Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug. 1 / Trend, H. Hasanov /
Great importance in the increase of Turkmenistan's rating in terms of tourism sector is attached to the national tourism zone Avaza - the seaside resort of international level in the Caspian Sea, which is associated with grandiose plans, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said said at a special meeting.
As Turkmen media reported on Thursday with reference to the head of state, the project of development of Avaza will continue until 2020.
"The cost of the objects built and those under construction has exceeded $2 billion", the Turkmen leader said.
According to him, several hotels and multi-recreational centers meeting the highest standards in hospitality service will be built and commissioned by the year's end in Avaza.
The head of state also noted that among the new objects on the new seaside resort on the coast of the Caspian Sea, construction of which started this year, are four five-star hotels with 300-350 beds each, a water park and amusement park with game attractions, another multi-level parking, and complexes of apartment houses.
The tourism industry occupies a special place in the country's strategic plans, where Avaza, the country's first free economic zone, takes a central seat.
An international airport, a power station, desalination and water treatment plants have already been built in Avaza and spa facilities regularly put in operation. A yacht club has recently began operating.
Among facilities to be constructed in Avaza are a waterpark, an aquarium, an indoor ski complex, a cycle track and casino-city. It is expected that large-scale modernization of the port of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea will develop cruise lines across the waters of the reservoir, with a visit and stay in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Iran.
At the same time, new tourist routes will also be laid following construction of the North-South railway corridor, being built jointly by Turkmenistan, Iran and Kazakhstan, and designed to link countries in Europe and South Asia via the shortest route possible.