From 14 to 16 April 2026, the capital of Turkmenistan is hosting a major international event — the TurkmenTravel – 2026 exhibition and conference. The forum serves as an important platform to showcase the country’s tourism potential and strengthen global cooperation in the tourism industry.
President of Turkmenistan sent a congratulatory message to the participants, which was published in state newspapers. The message highlights that during the era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State, the tourism sector in Turkmenistan continues to develop rapidly. Permanently neutral Turkmenistan attaches great importance to expanding international cooperation in this field. Collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization of Economic Cooperation, the World Federation of Tourist Cities, and tourism companies worldwide is opening new opportunities for the industry’s growth.
“The organization of this tourism exhibition and conference is clear evidence of strengthened international cooperation in the sector. The participation of both domestic and foreign tourism companies will allow direct exchange of experience, familiarization with each other’s practical achievements and new projects. Business meetings, seminars, scientific-practical conferences, and tourist excursions held as part of the international forum will further enhance its importance,” the presidential message states.
Special attention in the message is given to Turkmenistan’s rich cultural and natural heritage. National relics, historical monuments, and traditions created by the Turkmen people over many centuries occupy a worthy place in the treasury of universal human values. Several outstanding sites have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include: Ancient Merv, Nisa, Kunya-Urgench (Konye-Urgench), the Amul–Merv section of the Great Silk Road (part of the transnational “Silk Roads: Zarafshan–Karakum Corridor”), the Bereketli Garagum, Gaplaňgyr, and Repetek Biosphere State Nature Reserves.
The President also emphasized the high tourism potential of Ashgabat (included in the rating of the World Federation of Tourist Cities), the city of Arkadag, the National Tourist Zone “Avaza”, as well as the unique landscapes of the Karakum Desert and the Koytendag mountains.
The conference brings together high-level representatives from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization of Economic Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), and officials from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uganda, Tunisia, and other countries.
Among the participating foreign companies are Belindtravel (Belarus), Shadyýan Parwaz (Iran), Embassy Alliance Travel Group Ltd, Europe Voyage Service LTD (United Kingdom), Prestige DMC Viet Nam, Sopandai SDN. BHD. (Malaysia), and tourism firms from several other countries.
As part of the forum, bilateral meetings between heads of tourism authorities and institutions are planned to discuss new tourist routes and sign cooperation agreements. An educational seminar on tourism management, organized with experts from the UNWTO, will be held for lecturers of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture and managers of national tourism enterprises.
For international guests, excursions to the sights of Ashgabat have been arranged, including visits to the cultural and park complex “Magtymguly Pyragy”, the Old Nisa fortress, and a performance by the national equestrian games group “Galkynyş”. ///nCa, 14 April 2026