Introduction

TurkmenTravel–2026

In recent years, Turkmenistan has become noticeably more active in the field of tourism and the search for foreign investments. Over the past 3 years, Turkmenistan has already hosted the third tourism forum, turkmentravel-2026, which takes place from April 14 to 17, 2026 in the capital Ashgabat.

The purpose of the forum will be to provide a strategic platform for dialogue between the government, business and international experts, aimed at developing the tourism potential of Turkmenistan. The program of the event itself will include practical seminars jointly with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), round tables and a scientific and practical conference.The key topics of the dialogue will be Digitalization (online booking, VR tours, mobile applications), infrastructure projects and investments in the hotel sector, as well as environmental, medical, wellness and cultural tourism. The initiative to hold such a grandiose event was taken by the President of Turkmenistan himself, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with the talvas Yoly NGO and the Oguz Forum & Expo division with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. It is planned to host more than 100 delegates from more than 30 countries, including representatives of international organizations, tour operators, investors and experts.

Economic Potential Beyond Natural Resources

The strategy of economic diversification of Turkmenistan is aimed at reducing dependence on natural gas exports through the development of processing industries, transport and logistics potential and digitalization. Areas such as gas chemistry and petrochemistry, transport and logistics, as well as the textile industry are key to this issue.

The government is shifting from exporting raw materials to producing high-value-added goods. Turkmenistan has significantly increased its capacity for the production of carbamide, ammonia and potash fertilizers (plants in Mary, Garabogaz and Garlyk). Modernization of the Turkmenabat Chemical Plant is planned in 2026. Moreover, According to teif-Turkmenistan, there are complexes for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene (Kiyanly), as well as a plant for the production of gasoline from gas (Ovadandepe). This industry will help to increase Turkmenistan's export potential to the global fertilizer markets.

Turkmenistan also has a strategic geographical location, the country is located at the junction of Europe and Central Asia. This allows Turkmenistan to effectively use its transport resource to ensure Eurasian ties, reviving the concept of the Great Silk Road. The Turkmenbashi seaport is considered a "gateway" to the Caspian Sea, providing cargo transit between Europe and Asia. In addition, Turkmenistan is also engaged in the development of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran highways and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan road under construction, which may increase trade turnover between these countries, as well as allow Turkmenistan to strengthen its strategic position in the region as a transport hub.

Turkmenistan is also increasing its textile production capacity, which is made possible by its huge cotton reserves. More than 80% of textile products are exported to the USA, China, the EU and Turkey. The growth dynamics of textile production remains very high: In 2024, the production of cotton yarn increased by 46.7%, and fabrics — by 27.1%.

In 2026, Turkmenistan will continue the course of active economic diversification and reduction of dependence on the sale of energy resources, thereby expanding the possibilities of local production and the range of services provided. Thus, diversification will contribute to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as expand the sphere of attracting foreign investment.

Steps Toward Greater Openness

Since April 2025, amendments to the immigration law have officially entered into force in Turkmenistan, introducing the concept of an electronic visa. A visa grants the right to enter, stay, exit and transit. The expected processing time of the application is from 2 to 5 business days. Thus, Turkmenistan will become a more open country, which will attract both international tourists and foreign capital. It will also make it easier to coordinate transit routes and logistics, for example, Uzbekistan- Turkmenistan - Caspian.

Investment climate

Taking into account the expansion of local production of fertilizers, textiles, as well as improved logistics routes, Turkmenistan is one of the key countries for Western investments more than ever before. Last year, according to Tukmenistan live, Turkmenistan set a goal to attract 11.5 billion dollars in investments, which indicates that the country perfectly understands the key areas for economic diversification and is rapidly attracting finance there to accelerate the transition from an oil and gas, raw materials economy to a developed and diversified one. In February 2026, according to Turkmenportal, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree approving the investment and development strategy for the current year. He highlighted the "green" economy, digital technologies, import substitution and support for small/medium-sized businesses as priorities. This is facilitated by the tax stability of the region, as well as the neutrality of Turkmenistan, thanks to which investors can be confident in protecting their own investments.

Conclusion

As a result, tourism may become one of the drivers of economic diversification in Turkmenistan. Given the increasing dynamics of the development of this area with the help of organizations of various forums, as well as simplification of the entry procedure into the country, tourism is a promising industry for investment by the state. Also, the development of local production and the stimulation of small and medium-sized businesses provides excellent forecasts for the successful diversification of the economy of Turkmenistan. Moreover, the investment climate is improving every year, thanks to Turkmenistan's multi-vector policy and its neutrality, as well as a stable tax policy. Turkmenistan's prospects for economic diversification look promising and very positive.

Reference

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