Berdimuhammedov was in Antalya to attend a briefing by Turkish tourism sector representatives on the Turkish tourism experience. “We are ready to contribute to the development of tourism in Turkmenistan,” said Turgut Gür, head of the Tourism Investors Association (TYD), at the opening of a briefing for the visiting Turkmen president on possible contributions of Turkish investors in a Turkmen project to create a tourism area in Avaza, located on the east side of the Caspian Sea. The Turkmen government, which is planning to complete work on Avaza and to begin operations in full by 2011, has already called for Turkish construction firms to invest in the region. The inauguration ceremony of five 5-star hotels constructed by four Turkish firms in the region was held in June with the attendance of Ertuğrul Günay, the Turkish minister of culture and tourism. The Turkish Association of Travel Agents (TÜRSAB) will provide training to Turkmen tourism firms.
The project to create a tourism zone in Avaza consists of the construction of vacation and leisure facilities on a 7,500-hectare plot in three stages. Around 40 foreign companies, including Turkish companies, were interested in the first stage of the project.
“Just like we planned to turn Antalya into a tourism region 20-25 years ago, Mr. Berdimuhammedov is now planning to create a tourism region in his country that will perhaps be more beautiful and larger than Antalya,” Gül said at the briefing. Gül said Turkish tourism sector representatives were at the briefing to tell the Turkmen president how they managed to turn Antalya into a tourism haven. “We hope, working hand-in-hand, to turn Avaza into one of the most beautiful tourist resorts of the world,” Gül added.
“Turkmenistan seeks long-term business cooperation,” said Berdimuhammedov. “For us, honest and reliable partners fulfilling their business responsibilities are important. We are ready to forge cooperation with Turkish business circles,” he added.
