Phenomenon of the Silk Road is interpreted in tourist projects

Increasing tourist flows and attention of famous tourist companies, specialized magazines and informational resources indicate growing interest in our country as new perspective direction of international tourism, in national model of the industry of tourism and hospitality that is formed under the leadership President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Recently, RAI3 channel of Italian State TV Corporation that specializes in educational programmes about the culture named Turkmenistan as one of the best tourist routes in 2018.

After the series of films about the travelling to different countries and continents, the channel conducted a survey among the audience and made a rating of popular centres with developed tourist service. By the results of the votes, Turkmenistan was the first in History category and this is quite logical.

The richness and originality of carefully protected national heritage, numerous archaeological monuments and masterpieces of ancient, antique and medieval architecture allow our country increasing its international rating in this sector winning better positions in the world tourism market. This is also supported by creating of modern market relations, implementation of efficient organizational approaches, stimulation of private initiative, attraction of foreign investments and development of long-term partnership, involvement of the resources of other branches, for example transport and communication, trade and construction, in tourism sphere.

The most topical directions of the strategy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of the development of tourism complex of Turkmenistan are the expansion of the geography and variety of tourist routes, improvement of the service quality and training of qualified personnel in this field, establishment of efficient informational and advertising activity and fruitful international relations.

This is also about the measures for inclusion of unique natural places and sightseeing of Turkmenistan into the UNESCO World Heritage List, development of hotel and recreation infrastructure.

Today, Turkmenistan comprehensively meets growing demand of European travellers in historical tours around the places with natural exotics, with the contrast between the modernity and ancient times. Travelling along the Silk Road is among the most popular directions. Thus, the guests of our country are attracted by the meeting with one of the best and at the same time not fully discovered mysteries of East civilization, the state of Margiana, whichis famous by its unique monuments and sensational findings of the archaeologists.

The tours to the State Historical and Cultural Sanctuary “Ancient Merv” leave indelible impression of foreign tourists. Magnificent ruins of ancient fortresses of Erk-Gala and Gyaur-Gala, Big and Small Gyz-Gala impressing with its unusual forms, grandiose Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum inspire sublime reverence of the history, touching which feels so realistic that makes listen enchantingly to its “message”. In 1999, entire complex of these priceless monuments was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Numerous tourists for different countries of the world are attracted by Kunyaurgench. Unique monuments also included into the UNESCO World Heritage List have remained there until our days. Peered into the sky the minaret of Gutlug Timur, which is one of the tallest in central Asia, mausoleums of Sultan Ala Ad Din Tekesh, Turbake Hanum, Najmeddin Kubra, Il Arslan, Piryar Vely, Seyt Ahmed are real pearls of mediaeval architecture. Pleasing the eye with their magnificence and wonderful beauty, these and other monuments are distinguished by the perfection of technical and artistic methods and demonstrate the consistency of the millennium cultural tradition.

The Old Nisa is one the special place among ancient settlements that exist practically in all parts of Turkmenistan and raise the great interest of the archaeologists and tourists. Parthia was one of the greatest states founded by Turkmens for their old history and existed for six centuries. Famous scientists from different countries conducted their studies, which shed the light on many mysteries of ancient history, on the ruins of Parthian stronghold that was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. What value the collection of rhytons that became one of the most expressive symbols of cultural heritage of Turkmenistan!

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov renders comprehensive support to Turkmen and foreign scientists making all conditions for study and research of national history. Under the patronage of Turkmen leader, our country holds representative scientific conferences on historical and cultural heritage, special attention is paid to the formation of favourable climate for the development of tourism. Recently, the State Programme for archaeological excavations of historical and cultural monuments located along the Silk Road in Turkmenistan in 2018 – 2021 was adopted.

The Head of the State puts great efforts to the development of social and humanitarian sciences, fundamental study of cultural heritage, historical monuments and their popularization in the world. the suggestion of the Head of the State on declaration of the slogan “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Silk Road” in 2018 was unanimously adopted during the session of the Council of the Elders in October last year.

It is mentioned in the book of the same name by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that one of the fundamental roles in formation and active operation of this historical route, each branch of which deserves to be included to the UNESCO World Heritage List, belongs to our people.

Continuing the subject of modern interpretation of the phenomenon of the Silk Route in tourist projects, it is important to say that familiarization with Ashgabat, the great capital of the country with colossal transformations, is one of the key points for all travellers. Numerous architectural sightseeing are located in the city and some of them are listed in the Guinness World Records Book.

The tourists who visited the most famous cities and admired with modern city landscapes say that Ashgabat captures with its inexpressible charm and conquers with its quiet comfort, hospitality and cordiality of its people.

Avaza National tourist zone, which concept was developed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and realized under his leadership, is another pearl of Turkmenistan. The word “Avaza” started to be famous internationally several years ago and now, it is in all tourist guides, illustrated booklets of the world tourist agencies and news raising keen interest of the travel and sea resorts lovers.

Enthusiastic advertising epithets comparing Avaza with magnificent Atlántida that raised from the sea and turned into modern tourist paradise with luxurious hotels, roads, parks, amphitheatres and fountains are not far from the truth. Yachts, boats and catamarans, water ski, surfing, diving and water parachutes, this is only the part of what the resort offers to the lovers of active holidays and extreme.

The infrastructure of Avaza grows and is improved in front of the eyes. This is also the first free economic zone in the country oriented to the development of tourism industry. Local and foreign companies, investors who put their money to construction of sanatorium and resort, social and economic facilities, hotel business, service sphere working here, have the best conditions for realization of own and joint projects.

There are plenty of places of interest in the region itself. It is enough to name Ancient Dehistan, the historical and cultural sanctuary with its unique architectural monuments. Interesting tours introducing the history of the region, traditions and national handcrafts are at the service of the guests.

Salt lake of Mollakara, which healing effect was described in the book of our national leader “Turkmenistan, the Place of Healing”, is another place of interest of Caspian Region. According to its healing effect, this resort is similar to the famous Dead Sea in Israel.

Besides, the guests will familiarize with national Turkmen cuisine, traditions and rites, folk arts and modern culture, generous hospitality of Turkmen people.

Therefore, owing to all these measures and personal patronage of the Head of the State, tourism industry turns into ine of the perspective branches of Turkmen economy. At the same time, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov give the role of the strong level of total increasing of the growth rates and modernization of national economy changing over to non- raw material and export orientation what would allow Turkmenistan entering the rank of the most competitive countries of the world.