From April 14 to 16, 2026, Ashgabat hosted the International Tourism Exhibition and Conference “Turkmentravel – 2026”, a major event reflecting Turkmenistan’s ambition to position itself as an emerging destination at the crossroads of culture, history, and sustainable tourism. The forum gathered representatives of government institutions, international organizations, tourism professionals, investors, academics, and private‑sector actors from across Europe, Asia, and the wider region.

Opening Ceremony and Official Addresses

The exhibition and conference officially opened on April 14, 2026, at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, with a ceremonial session underscoring the growing importance of tourism diplomacy.

The greetings address of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was delivered to participants, officially inaugurating the event and setting the tone for international cooperation in the tourism sector.

The opening session was attended by high‑level representatives of the Turkmen government and foreign delegations, emphasizing tourism as a strategic pillar of economic diversification.

High-level Conference: International participation

The conference also served as a platform for regional cooperation, featuring speakers from neighboring countries and international institutions, including:

– Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye;

– Erdenet Kasymov, Deputy Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development........

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