Azernews.Az

Chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Tourism Palvan Taganov held a series of meetings in London with representatives of the world tourism industry, the Turkmen government said on Thursday.

Aspects of cooperation were discussed with the secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation, Taleb Rifai and chairman of the World Travel Market exhibition Fiona Jeffery.

The Turkmen delegation attended the ministerial summit of the WTO, during which it was noted that in 2011 world tourism income grew by four per cent with the number of travellers reaching 982 million despite the economic crisis in a number of countries.

'In this context, the sides considered the initiatives and proposals to facilitate international trips and entry procedures, including removal of restrictions constraining the growth of entry tourism in air transport, as well as to liberalise visa policies,' the government report says.

The tourism industry occupies a special place in the strategic plans of Turkmenistan. As an example, Taganov cited Avaz, the country's first free economic zone. Investors, firms and companies working here are granted tax and customs privileges.

Turkmenistan has announced a number of international tenders for the construction of facilities and buildings at this site. According to official data, the total amount of investments already made is more than $1.5 billion. A new airport, power station, desalination and water treatment facilities have been built and sanatoria facilities are being commissioned on a regular basis.

A water park, yacht club, a sea life aquarium, indoor ski complex, cycle track, and casino-city will be constructed as part of the second stage of the Avaza development.