While obtaining a tourist visa so far could last months and required the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the new system is to enable the submission of applications online and the abolition of the famous letter with the invitation (LOI), considered one of the largest bureaucratic barriers.
– We are still in a state of uncertainty, just like our local partners in Turkmenistan, because since then no current information has been provided to us – says Dylan Lupine, founder of Lupine Travel from Great Britain, an agency organizing a trip to Turkmenistan.
He notes that if the government's promises materialize, “The changes will have a huge impact on the number of tourists“Despite the April announcement, the authorities in Aschabad have not yet provided a specific date of entry into force of the new system.
The most famous attraction of Turkmenistan is the Darwaze crater, called “gates to hell”. Located in the Kara-Kum desert, about four hours from the capital, the crater is a huge natural gas tank that has been burning for over 50 years.
It was accidentally created in Soviet times, most likely as a result of the collapse of the earth during geological drilling. In the absence of a better solution, geologists decided to set fire to the gas, hoping that they slept quickly. However, flames have been burning for decades.
Kokkai ng / Getty Images
Darwaze gas crater called the “gate to hell” in Turkmenistan
In recent years, the intensity of flames has begun to weaken, and some experts say that this symbol of Turkmenistan may completely go out in the near future.
However, Turkmenistan has much more to offer. Old Town on the Silk Road, with historical mosques and minarets, They contrast with the extravagant modernism of the capital of Azchabadwhere white marble buildings and gold -plated statues are ubiquitous.
– Aschabad, with your empty alleys and blinding marble, is one of the strangest cities I visited – says Erika Fatland, an anthropologist and author of the book “Sovietistan”.
The strangest buildings include the building of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, which looks like a gigantic lighter, and the world's largest indoor carousel, inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records.
For lovers of gastronomy, the Russian market in Aschabad offers caviar from the Caspian Sea, and restaurants serve Persian and Central Asian cuisine. Night life is limited, but tourists can drink beer in Clevers Irish Pub or Florida British Pub.
In the north of the country lies Kunia-Urgencz, a place inscribed on the UNESCO list, in which there are intricately decorated mosques and mausolea. Two other important attractions are the fortresses of parties in Nisie, near the capital, and the ruins of the city of Merw in the eastern part of the country.
Laurie Noble / Getty Images
Sandżar Sultan Mausoleum in the ancient city of Merw
“My most beautiful experiences took place in the desert, where people were extremely hospitable,” Fatland recalls. The only problem? Chal, fermented camel milk, national drink. “It's a taste that you have to get used to,” he admits.
Where does this sudden opening come from?
Paradoxically, Turkmenistan was more accessible to tourists in Soviet times. Intourist, the Official Tourist Agency of the USSR, organized strictly supervised trips around the entire relationship, including the “Blooming Ashabad”, as advertised on the poster from 1934. This city.
After gaining independence in 1991, the President of Saparmurat Nijazov, who imposed an insulating authoritarian regime, took power. Thanks to the huge resources of natural gas, Turkmenistan did not need an economic opening, remaining neutral and self -sufficient.
– It all comes down to Nijazowo. He was against Pierestroke and Głasnosti [jawności] – explains Dylan Lupine. – After gaining independence, he adopted the Turkmeński model inspired by the Soviet system.
Even after the death of Nijazów in 2006, the regime remained intact. However, the difficult economic situation of the last decade has forced the current authorities to search for solutions.
According to the latest report, Bertelsmann Transformation Index Turkmenistan began looking for foreign investment and regional cooperation, an example of which is a recent partnership in natural gas with Turkey and Iran. Simplification of the visa system can be part of a wider economic opening strategy.
– When Uzbekistan simplified the visa system after the president's death [Islama] Karimowa, tourism survived a real boom. Perhaps Turkmenistan counts on a similar effect – sums up Erika Fatland.
Turkmenistan remains an unusual, but extremely interesting destination for people who want to discover rare places with lunar landscapes and white marble cities. If the new visa regulations come into force, easier access can be transformed by one of the most closed countries of the world into a new tourist attraction of Central Asia.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
