Avaza - Turkmenistan’s proud

Avaza is the main and the only resort of Turkmenistan, the local Dubai or Antalya.
The national tourist zone is situated in Turkmenistan’s east and spread along the coast of the Caspian Sea, not far from the city of Turkmenbashi (former Krasnovodsk).
The resort area of Avaza is a modern tourist paradise with many white-marble hotels, modern hotels and recreation centers, modern infrastructure.
Avaza was founded in 2007 at the initiative of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow as a world-class resort.
The cleanest sandy beaches, shining sun, healing air and warm sea attract numerous Turkmen citizens and foreign visitors. To meet international standards and to attract more foreign tourists the Turkmen authorities even built a new runway and a modern terminal at the international airport of the city of Turkmenbashi in order to the airport could receive all the kinds of aircrafts.
According to official figures, about 4,000 people can have a rest at the same time in Avaza.
President Berdimuhamedow promised to turn Avaz to new Las-Vegas and the work is going on in this direction. In evenings, Avaza shines with a variety of lights and looks like small Las-Vegas.
Since its founding dozens of hotels were built in the desert. Almost all the hotels are built by the government and belong to the state. It gives a good opportunity for locals to have a rest in Avaza, as prices for own employees are much cheaper, than for foreigners. Almost all the hotels have salt-water swimming pools, fitness centers, bars and restaurants.
There are also spa centers, entertainment complexes and many other places. Vacationers are offered an extensive list of entertainment, including a cruise on a boat on an artificial canal. Like in Dubai, Turkmens dug a 7-kilometer artificial canal in the territory of Avaza, where tourists can go boating. There are beautiful sidewalks, parks, recreation areas, restaurants and cafes along the banks of the canal.
A forest was planted in Avaza, but its too far to be turned into a green area, as trees are still small, but flowers and green lawns are very well-tended.
Besides, tens of meters high fountains, the Yelken Yacht Club were opened, a gas turbine power station and a desalination plant were launched.
The construction of a huge water park is still underway. An indoor ski complex is planned to be constructed as well.
Streets and roads in Avaza and Turkmenbashi, like in the capital city of Ashgabat glistens with cleanliness. It seems that every night somebody scrubs the streets to a shine.
By the way, in addition to white marble buildings and houses, cars are also of bright color, one can’t see black color cars on the streets. Since January 2018, Turkmenistan banned cars of all colors, except white. They believe that the white color car brings good luck. All these blend harmoniously with the general appearance of the cities.
Everything is shining, but the only problem here is Internet, many social networks are blocked not only in Avaza, but throughout Turkmenistan.
Nevertheless, Turkmenistan enjoys a reputation as a relatively calm and safe country. Local people say that one can walk on streets absolutely safety day and night both in Avaza and Turkmenbashi city.
Service staff of hotels in Avaza lives in Turkmenbashi city, which is 12 kilometers far from the tourist zone.
Turkmenbashi city, with about 80 thousand population, now is important as a transport hub formed by a seaport with a ferry terminal, a railway and an airport receiving all the tourists, wishing to have a rest in Avaza. In recent years, large-scale works have been carried out in the city on the reconstruction of the historical part of the city, highways, and infrastructure.
Former Krasnovodsk was renamed in 1993 by then President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) in his honor. He died in 2006 at the age of 66.
People in Turkmenistan are very friendly and hospitable. Hospitality is in the blood of the Turkmen people.
The Turkmen authorities plan to complete the construction of Avaza luxury resort complex by 2020, many objects are now still in the process of erection, but a lot has been built, and it is amazing and gives an idea of the real scale of construction.
Thus, Avaza is becoming the world class tourist zone, where Turkmenistan conducts large-scale international and local events.
That is why the First Caspian Economic Forum was organized in Avaza by the Turkmen government this summer.
Nurzhan Kasmalieva
Kabar News Agency