Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.8 / Trend, H.Hasanov/
Chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Tourism Palvan Taganov held a series of meetings in London with representatives of the world tourism industry, the Turkmen government said on Thursday.
Aspects of cooperation were discussed with the secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation - (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai, chairman of the World Travel Market exhibition Fiona Jefferyand heads of tourism agency Visit Britain.
The Turkmen delegation attended the ministerial summit of the UNWTO, during which it was noted that in 2011 world tourism income grew by four per cent with the number of travellers reaching 982 million despite the economic crisis in a number of countries.
'In this context, the sides considered the initiatives and proposals to facilitate international trips and entry procedures, including removal of restrictions constraining the growth of entry tourism in air transport, as well as to liberalise visa policies', the government report says.
The tourism industry occupies a special place in the strategic plans of Turkmenistan. As an example, he cited Avaz, the country's first free economic zone. Investors, firms and companies working here are granted tax and customs privileges.
Turkmenistan has announced a number of international tenders for the construction of facilities and buildings at this site. 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.
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 the south-west part of Turkmenistan are a godsend for lovers of ecological tourism.
