Tourism Diplomacy of Turkmenistan: International Forum "Turkmentravel — 2026"
Distinguished participants of the international tourism exhibition and conference! Dear guests!
I cordially congratulate you on the ceremonial opening of the international tourism exhibition and conference titled "Turkmentravel — 2026" held in the city of Ashgabat. I firmly believe that this international forum, organized in the year "Independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — the land of prosperity and goal-attainment," will become a significant event in the tourism industry.
The great transformations initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and successfully implemented in the current era, contribute to the harmonious development of our country in all areas and further improve the social and living conditions of our people. The benevolent cooperation established with the countries of the world and authoritative international organizations is consistently promoted. In the era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State, the large-scale works carried out in the tourism sector of our country are flourishing. Neutral Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the development of international cooperation in this direction. Cooperation with the UN World Tourism Organization, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the World Federation of Tourist Cities, and foreign tourism enterprises opens new opportunities in the development of the sector.
The holding of this tourism exhibition and conference is a clear sign of the further strengthening of the foundation of international cooperation in this field. The participation of tourism enterprises from our country and the world in the exhibition will greatly assist in exchanging experience and closely introducing each other to ongoing works and new projects. Working meetings, seminars, scientific-practical conferences, and tourist tours to be held during the international forum will further increase the significance of these events.
In the current period, a national tourism industry has emerged in our country with the integration of rich international tourism experience and modernized legal, economic, and social foundations. The regular holding of international conferences in this field is very important for modernizing the sector and developing relations with relevant structures.
Dear participants of the international exhibition and conference! Respected friends!
The national values, historical monuments, rich cultural heritage, and traditions created by the Turkmen people over many centuries have taken a worthy place in the treasury of universal human values. Masterpieces of our national art and various forms of our ancient values inherited from our glorious ancestors have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. Monuments of the country's state historical and cultural reserves such as "Ancient Merv," "Nisa," "Kunya-Urgench," as well as the Amul — Merv branch of the Great Silk Road within the "Silk Road: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor" project, "Bereketli Garagum" and "Gaplangyr" state nature reserves, desert ecosystems of the "Repetek" state biosphere reserve and its "Yeraji" sanctuary have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These places are widely famous in world tourism for their ancient monuments dating back to the earliest centuries and their unique nature.
Ashgabat, included in the list of the World Federation of Tourist Cities, the city of Arkadag, which amazes with its magnificent buildings, the "Avaza" National Tourist Zone, and the natural wonders of the Karakum Desert and Koytendag fully attest to the great future of our country's tourism potential. The holding of such international exhibitions and conferences is of great importance in promoting the historical-cultural and natural monuments and beautiful places of our Independent country and attracting foreign tourists to them.
Distinguished people! Dear guests!
The holding of the international tourism exhibition and conference "Turkmentravel — 2026" in the year "Independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — the land of prosperity and goal-attainment" creates a wonderful harmony. Our powerful state currently moves forward confidently on the bright path of rapid development. The great successes achieved in the tourism sector of our country further elevate the international prestige and world fame of our Neutral state.
Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the beginning of the international tourism exhibition and conference "Turkmentravel — 2026." I wish you sound health and great success in your tireless work to develop the tourism industry.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV.
