Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 19 / Trend H. Hasanov /
These days, the chairman of Turkmen State Committee for Tourism Palvan Taganov is on his visit to Turkey, lasting till December 20, an official Turkmen source said.
Introduction of Turkmen delegation to the relevant Turkish experience and tourist facilities is planned during the visit.
The tourism industry has a special place in Turkmenistan's strategic plans. The Avaza Sea resort , being built on the Caspian shore, can be called as an example, as the country's first free economic zone, where tax and customs privileges are granted to investors, firms and companies.
Turkmenistan has announced a number of international tenders for construction of facilities and buildings in the resort. According to official data, the total cost of the funds, already invested from the state treasury of Turkmenistan, reaches over $1.5 billion.
A new airport, a power station, desalination and water treatment plants were built and a number of sanitaria and health facilities are regularly put in operation in Avaza. Mostly Turkish companies were involved in the construction.
A waterpark, a yacht club, an oceanarium, an indoor ski resort, a cycle rack and a casino city will be built within the second stage of Avaza's development.
The Great Silk Road passes via Turkmenistan which 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.