Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, March 31 / Trend H.Hasanov /
World-class Avaz resort being built in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea is a striking example of integrated innovative approach to solving problems in the tourism industry, Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper said on Saturday.
The National Program of support and development of tourism in Turkmenistan for 2011-2020 aimed to form a modern, efficient tourism market, providing ample opportunities to meet the needs of Turkmen and foreign citizens, public employment and increase incomes of population.
The article says that Avaz national tourist zone has an enormous potential for the development of international tourism. Its comprehensive development continues. Another important factor is the presence in the region of transport communications: the seaport, airport, roads and railways.
New North-South international railway line, which involves neighboring Iran and Kazakhstan will open broad prospects for development of tourism industry in the Caspian region.
"The experience of many countries and cities also shows that free economic zones contribute to the inflow of foreign capital, provide a powerful impetus to the development and prosperity of the territory of the country as a whole," the article says.
As of October 2011, from the end of 2007, when construction of Avaz started, $1.4 billion have been invested in this project. During this period, eight comfortable hotels that can accommodate at the same time 1700 people, two recreation centers for children and adults 880 seats each were put into operation.
In addition, gas turbine power plant with a capacity of 254 MW with a set of substations, an installation of desalination of sea water, an international airport with the ability to service 800 people per hour, navigable river of Avaz with length of 7 km, a park, including a set of interactive marine and waterfront fountains, as well as landscaped roads, including the rack, connecting directly the tourist zone to air harbor of Turkmenbashi city were put into operation.
International tenders for the selection of contractors were carried out and their winners as well as the boundaries of land where new buildings will be erected were determined. As a result, in general, four high-rise luxury hotels, five modern leisure centers for adults and children, and five cottage complexes, including the accompanying infrastructure are planned to be built.
Commissioning of these facilities will increase the number of tourists in Avaz to about three and a half thousand people at a time. An exhibition palace with a shopping center and amusement park will be built.
Among the projects are facilities planned for construction by investor companies: hotels, cottage complexes, recreational, entertainment and shopping centers, stadiums, park and fountain ensembles and water parks.
