Awaza (or Avaza) refers to both a tourist zone in and a borough (district headed by a presidentially appointed mayor) of the city of Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan. It is located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, 12 km west of downtown Türkmenbaşy. Awaza has grown from a small village to one of the largest resort destinations along the Caspian Sea coast.
The Awaza District (borough) of Türkmenbaşy city was formed in July 2013. Awaza District, an area of 9660 hectares, includes the Awaza national tourist zone, Turkmenbashi International Airport and a small residential area.[1][2][3]
The tourist zone was commissioned by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who sought to imitate Dubai's development boom. Turkmenistan's foreign ministry has touted Awaza as a "Turkmen Las Vegas"[4] but foreign reports on the project have found that the accommodations are underutilized and hold little attraction apart from their sheer excess.[5]
Awaza is also used as a conference site, particularly for the annual Turkmenistan Gas Conference.[6]
Tourism[edit]
Awaza's major industry in summer is domestic tourism thanks to its for hot and dry climate and long beaches.
See also[edit]
- Awaza Convention Center
- Districts of Turkmenistan
- Tourism in Turkmenistan
- Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan
- Yacht Club Yelken
References[edit]
- ^ "Города с таким названием скоро не будет. Красноводск-Туркменбаши-Этрап Аваза города Туркменбаши+Этрап Кенар города Туркменбаши".
- ^ "Расширенное совещание по дальнейшему развитию Национальной туристической зоны «Аваза»" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Türkmenistanyň Prezidenti "Awaza" milli syýahatçylyk zolagyny mundan beýläk-de ösdürmek boýunça giňişleýin maslahat geçirdi" (in Turkmen). "Türkmenistan: Altyn asyr". 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Shrinking exports spell trouble for Turkmenistan". The Economist. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Richard Orange (11 June 2011). "Awaza, Turkmenistan: the most ill-conceived resort ever built?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
- ^ "Turkmenistan says close to securing TAPI pipeline financing". Reuters. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
