18.04.25

A formal reception was held at the Turkish Cultural Center in Ashgabat on April 17, marking Türkiýe’s Tourism Week. The event, organized by the Republic of Türkiýe, provided a platform for discussing the achievements and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector.

Among the distinguished guests at the reception was Turkmenistan’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Nursahet Shirimov, along with diplomats, representatives of international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, and members of the media.

During his speech, Türkiýe’s Ambassador Ahmet Demirok shared impressive statistics, noting that in 2024, Türkiýe hosted 62.3 million international tourists, generating a revenue of $61.1 billion. Of these, 153,688 Turkmen citizens visited Türkiýe, showing a 27% increase compared to the previous year.

A key factor contributing to the strengthening of tourism ties has been the expansion of transportation links between the two countries. Turkish Airlines has increased its weekly flights on the Istanbul-Ashgabat route to 14 starting in April 2025, with plans to raise this number to 17 by June. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan Airlines operates 10 weekly flights on the same route.

Ambassador Demirok emphasized that tourism cooperation is growing alongside the strengthening of cultural ties between the two nations. In January 2025, the "Cultural Cooperation Agreement" signed during the visit of Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Türkiýe in October 2023 entered into force. 

The reception featured performances by musicians playing Turkish national pieces, and guests were treated to a variety of Turkish cuisine. The hall’s decorations, showcasing images of famous Turkish resorts, created an atmosphere of hospitality and natural beauty.

https://business.com.tm/multimedia/13435/ashgabat-hosts-reception-marking-turkiyes-tourism-week