Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, June 5 / Trend, H.Hasanov /
On Friday, June 1, Junior Achievement Worldwide opened a three-day workshop aimed at improving standards and customer service in Turkmenistan's tourism and hospitality industry.
With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and
Chevron Nebitgaz B.V. Turkmenistan, the work shop discussed international standards in the hospitality industry with representatives from across a broad spectrum of Turkmenistan's government as well as private entrepreneurs.
This is the second event held by U.S. sponsors in Avaza. The previous one was held in April 2012.
This workshop is one of the many activities made possible by the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with Chevron Nebitgaz B.V. Turkmenistan. Since 1992, the American people through USAID have provided about $100 million in programs that support Turkmenistan's economic growth, social sector, and community initiatives.
The tourism industry plays a special role in the country's strategic plans, an example of which is the Avaza resort which is the country's first free economic zone and currently under construction in the Caspian Sea, where investors, firms and companies are granted tax and customs privileges.
Turkmenistan has announced a number of international tenders for the construction of facilities and buildings here. According to official data, the total amount of investments already made is more than $1.5 billion. A new airport, power station, desalination and water treatment facilities have been built and sanatoria facilities are being commissioned on a regular basis.
A water park, yacht club, a sea life aquarium, indoor ski complex, cycle track, and casino-city will be constructed as part of the second stage of the Avaza development.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree for 'Tourism support and development in Turkmenistan' in 2011. Then the president stressed that the state creates the necessary conditions to stimulate tourism.
"Turkmenistan's geographical location, developed transport and communications system, rich recreational resources, unique natural and historical monuments open up the most favourable prospects for tourism development," the president said.
Turkmenistan is rich in folk culture, various natural landscapes, unique archaeological sites, including those on the list of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, the ancient Nisa, Merv, and Kunyaurgench, or, for example, Gonurdepe - the centre of civilisation Margiana and ancient Dehistan.
The Kopetdag Mountains, the flora and fauna of the Karakum desert, the coast of the Amu Darya, Koytendag, and subtropical areas of South-West of Turkmenistan are a godsend for lovers of ecological tourism.