The agenda includes specialised seminars and round table sessions organised jointly with UN Tourism, along with a scientific practical conference on innovation in the tourism industry. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed that the forum be organised at a high level and that Turkmenistan’s tourism potential be presented in line with government priorities.

The forum will bring together tour operators, airlines, hospitality representatives, and experts in cultural heritage and ecotourism. Around 100 foreign delegates and more than 60 participants from Turkmenistan’s tourism sector are expected. The business programme will feature presentations of new tourism products, discussions on international cooperation, and showcases of modern technological solutions.

A special focus will be placed on ecotourism, ethnographic routes, and health and wellness tourism, alongside B2B and B2G meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation between public institutions and the private sector. The event is organised by the Ministry of Culture, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, in partnership with Talvas Yoly and Oguz Forum and Expo.

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UNESCO Sites and Heritage

Turkmenistan possesses a rich UNESCO inscribed heritage, including three major World Heritage cultural sites, Ancient Merv, Kunya Urgench, and the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, as well as the transboundary Cold Winter Deserts of Turan and the Silk Roads Zarafshan Karakum Corridor. Its intangible heritage includes traditional Turkmen carpet making, the Kushtdepdi song and dance rite, and dutar craftsmanship and performance, reflecting the country’s Silk Road legacy and living traditions.

E‑visas and easier entry

Turkmenistan is following the path of other Central Asian countries by opening up to tourism. A law adopted in April 2025 introduces electronic visas and simplifies entry procedures for foreign visitors. Travellers will be able to apply through a simplified online system without a letter of invitation, a move expected to boost tourism revenues and trade, in line with regional examples such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as previously reported by Travel Tomorrow.

A country of under‑explored potential

Turkmenistan has significant untapped tourism potential. According to QRA Centre, “within the Central Asian region, Turkmenistan stands out as a country where historical continuity and natural diversity converge, yet its tourism potential remains only partially explored.”

The country combines ancient centres of civilisation, key Silk Road sites, Islamic era architecture, and distinctive natural landscapes, forming a strong foundation for cultural and educational tourism.

Natural highlights include the Darvaza Gas Crater, often referred to as the “Gates to Hell”, and Yangykala Canyon, alongside major Silk Road heritage sites such as Merv and Nisa. Merv is among the largest and best preserved oasis cities of the Silk Road, while Nisa reflects early Parthian statehood and Kunya Urgench showcases the achievements of Khorezm architecture.

@dukeandrs #darvaza #darvazacrater #crater #turkmenistan #turkmenistan ♬ Keep On – Jacob Yoffee

The capital, Ashgabat, is internationally known for its white marble architecture and holds a Guinness World Record for the highest density of marble clad buildings, making it a distinctive urban tourism destination.

On the Caspian coast, the Avaza National Tourist Zone offers resort tourism and conference facilities and has hosted major international events. It is considered a key pillar of Turkmenistan’s recreational development strategy, with hotels, parks, and leisure infrastructure, according to official sources.

According to the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “the Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea has immense potential for the development of wellness, recreation, and ecological tourism.” Tourism is increasingly seen as an important sector contributing to the country’s socio economic development.

The Avaza National Tourist Zone in Balkan Province is attracting around 150,000 visitors annually, according to The Caspian Post.

Health and balneological tourism also plays a role, particularly at Mollagara and Archman sanatoria, which draw on mineral waters, therapeutic mud, and specialised rehabilitation treatments. According to the government website, the Mollagara resort includes medical facilities, accommodation, and rehabilitation services, forming part of a broader health tourism offer.

Caspian Coast and cooperation with Kazakhstan

If Turkmenistan continues to open its tourism sector, cooperation with neighbouring Kazakhstan could help transform the Caspian coast into a stronger destination for European and Asian travellers.

In Kazakhstan, Aktau has seen growing visitor numbers and infrastructure development, including new hotels and a planned airport in Kendirli. More than 350,000 tourists were recorded in the first nine months of 2025, according to regional data cited by Astana Times. This trend suggests potential for complementary itineraries linking Aktau and Mangystau with Avaza and Turkmenbashi.

Historical and Natural heritages

Turkmenistan’s natural and cultural assets remain largely under explored. The Darvaza Gas Crater, located around 260 km north of Ashgabat, has been burning since the 1970s and remains one of the country’s most recognisable attractions. Yangykala Canyon, in the Balkan region, offers striking multicoloured cliffs and remote desert landscapes.

The Silk Road cities of Merv, Nisa, and Kunya Urgench form the backbone of cultural tourism itineraries, supported by UNESCO recognition.

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Among the most distinctive elements of Turkmenistan’s heritage are the Akhal Teke horses and traditional carpet weaving. Turkmen carpets are widely regarded for their deep red colours, high knot density, and intricate geometric patterns, while the Akhal Teke horse is often cited among the world’s most striking breeds.

Seljuk Heritage

Seljuk history plays an important role in the broader Turkic world. The Oghuz Seljuks laid the foundations for an empire that later influenced the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

One of the most significant monuments of this period is the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar in Merv. This masterpiece of medieval Islamic architecture houses the tomb of Ahmad Sanjar and is notable for its monumental scale and distinctive dome, once covered in turquoise tiles. During his reign, Merv became one of the most important cultural and economic centres of the Silk Road.

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With TurkmenTravel 2026, the country has an opportunity to align policy, tourism development, and international promotion. Combined with potential cross Caspian cooperation, this could help position Turkmenistan as a distinctive Silk Road destination.

L’article Turkmenistan eyes tourism growth with TurkmenTravel 2026 and new e-visa policy est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

High-level forum in Ashgabat

Organised within the framework of the 30^th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust proclaimed by the United Nations, the International Forum on Peace and Trust brought together an impressive array of global leaders, including heads of state and government from whole around the world. Among the distinguished participants were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the leaders of Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Also in attendance were Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan.

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President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in his address, underlined that peace, trust, and cooperation must become the cornerstones of the new world order. Emphasising that Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality is constitutionally guaranteed, Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed that non-use of force, peaceful conflict resolution, and respect for human rights form the core principles of the country’s foreign policy.

In his speech, he said:

“The value of peace, cooperation, and culture, alongside the emergence of new foundations and visionary approaches to the international order, increasingly shape contemporary global dynamics. The level of cooperation achieved with our partners and our determination to meet shared objectives have acquired new significance within the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust.“

Historical context

Thirty years ago, on December 12, 1995, Turkmenistan declared its permanent neutrality, four years after its independence. Article 1 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan states that “Turkmenistan, by law, has the status of permanent neutrality.”

Turkmenistan declared its permanent neutrality in the context of independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and at a time when significant tensions existed in its neighbouring country, Afghanistan. During Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991, Afghanistan was in a severe civil war. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989, President Mohammad Najibullah, who came to power, was trying to protect his government from the attacks of the Mujahideen. The situation in Afghanistan was characterised by continuous conflicts between government forces and resistance groups, as well as political instability. Turkmenistan’s government policy was shaped in response to such instability in its neighbouring country, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Since Turkmenistan declared its permanent neutrality, the United Nations has recognised how the country contributes to world peace.

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Concept of neutrality in Turkmenistan

The concept of neutrality has developed in Turkmenistan and has helped build the country’s identity. Neutrality has been integrated into Turkmenistan’s political culture and its process of de-Russification. Since its independence, the concept of neutrality has promoted Turkmenistan’s interests at national, regional, and global levels.

After independence, Turkmenistan’s leaders opted for a political culture of neutrality to achieve their dual objectives of de-Russification and formulating their foreign policy in a way that would integrate them into the international community and counter the threats and pressures of the neo-Great Game in the Eurasian region. Initially, the concept of neutrality is more related to wars where sovereign states adopt neutrality to avoid any form of involvement in an armed conflict between states (Saima Ashraf Kayani & Raja Qaiser Ahmed, 2018).

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Turkmenistan chose neutrality after the end of the Cold War, and it is the only state to have opted for neutrality in peacetime. According to Article 1, Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality is the basis of its foreign and domestic policy aimed at strengthening stability and consent in society, developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with states in the region and around the world.

The principle of permanent neutrality contributed to Turkmenistan’s rapid integration into the outside world. In this context, it provided comprehensive opportunities for establishing and developing economic and political ties with international actors. This process not only allowed Turkmenistan to build diplomatic and trade-economic ties but also enabled it to complete the priority of forming its internal political system (Hamzaoğlu, 2020: 654).

Achievements of Turkmenistan for regional and world peace

Mr Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, told journalists that “Turkmenistan is playing a very important role in international relations,” particularly in cooperation with the UN. “In these troubled times, I commend Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality,” he said. He was encouraged that relations between Central Asian countries have improved in the face of these challenges, and regional cooperation has deepened, again highlighting the important role played by Turkmenistan.

Mr Guterres also noted that Turkmenistan has made “significant progress” towards achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that the UN country team is engaged with the government in identifying gaps and risks.

Turkmenistan’s neutrality has allowed the country to develop diplomatic relations with many diverse countries. It has established bilateral relations with the United States, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, China, India, Pakistan, and many others, staying away from the clutches of the new Great Game in the region.

I thank the National Leader of the Turkmen People & the Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow & President Serdar Berdimuhamedow as well as the people of Turkmenistan for their warm welcome & leadership in hosting the 3rd @UN Conference on… pic.twitter.com/qndP2sC3un

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 4, 2025

Additionally, as noted by Ünlü (2016) in his research, thanks to its permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan has played a crucial role in developing the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Until 1991, the status of the Caspian Sea and the region’s energy resources were governed by treaties between Soviet Russia and Iran. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the littoral states gained independence, and this increase in the number of littoral states led to several issues. The emergence of new littoral states of the Caspian Sea, the inability to determine continental shelves, and the sharing and use of energy resources led to disputes among the states in the region. Not only has Turkmenistan been the main country supporting the development of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, but it has also developed plans and projects for transporting Caspian gas to Europe. In these approaches, plans for transporting the region’s energy resources to the global market through different blocs were proposed. The first of these plans is a gas distribution plan coordinated by Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey, and the second is the transport of Caspian gas via Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia (Ünlü, 2016).

Finally, Turkmenistan has supported the development of peace and conflict resolution in the Central Asian region. In this context, Turkmenistan hosted negotiations between parties during the internal conflicts in Tajikistan and Afghanistan in the 1990s. In 2007, the UN’s special mission, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, began operations in the capital, Ashgabat (Terzioğlu, 2012). Certainly, Turkmenistan has played a key role in promoting peace in Afghanistan. Turkmenistan used its position of neutrality to organize forums and conferences on peace and stability in Afghanistan. For example, in 2015, it co-organized a regional conference in Ashgabat with NATO on peace and stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Turkmenistan provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including building infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, and supplying electricity and drinking water, as noted on NATO’s official website.

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In summary, as Terzioğlu (2012) states, in the statements of Turkmen authorities and various documents, Turkmenistan’s neutrality is described as “positive neutrality.” Turkmenistan has maintained a policy of neutrality, recognized by the UN, which allows it to mediate in regional conflicts. For example, it has organized forums on regional peace and stability in collaboration with international organizations like NATO. Moreover, the fact that the country declared 2025 as the Year of Peace shows its commitment to promoting global peace and resolving various conflicts.

L’article Turkmenistan: Neutrality in the service of world peace est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.