Ashgabat Delegation Participates in International City Tourism Summit in Busan
Amul Info · · asgabat, ashgabat
From October 26 to 28, an Ashgabat delegation led by Mayor Rahym Gandymow attended the 2nd World Cities Tourism Summit in Busan, Republic of Korea. The delegation presented Ashgabat’s historical and cultural heritage, modern infrastructure and tourism opportunities. Turkmenistan also showcased its…
From October 26 to 28, 2026, a delegation from Ashgabat led by the city’s mayor, Rahym Gandymov, participated in the 2nd World City Tourism Summit in Busan, Republic of Korea. The event was held at the invitation of the Mayor of Busan.
The summit was held under the theme “Local Tourism: The Interconnection of the Urban Economy and Tourism Innovation.” It brought together representatives from 31 cities across 16 countries, as well as international organizations, experts, and professionals from the tourism industry.
On October 26, during a roundtable meeting of mayors, Rahym Gandymov presented Ashgabat’s tourism potential. He highlighted the capital’s distinctive identity as a city of white marble, its importance as a venue for international events, and its rich historical and cultural heritage. Particular attention was given to Turkmenistan’s monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Mayor of Ashgabat put forward proposals to strengthen cooperation between cities in tourism, cultural exchange, and the organization of joint events. He also invited the summit participants to visit Turkmenistan.
On the same day, Rahym Gandymov met with Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo. The discussions focused on developing ties between the two cities, improving tourism infrastructure, exchanging experience in digital services, and strengthening cultural cooperation.
On October 27, the Turkmen delegation attended a special session dedicated to developing local tourism and expanding links between the tourism markets of the Republic of Korea and Central Asia. Participants received information about Ashgabat’s modern infrastructure, historical and cultural landmarks, and tourist attractions.
As part of the summit, Turkmenistan presented a dedicated stand at the international exhibition “Global City Tourism Roadshow.” The stand showcased the country’s historical and cultural heritage, national traditions, and the tourism opportunities offered by Ashgabat.
The international meeting in Busan provided an important platform for promoting Ashgabat’s tourism potential to the global community, facilitating the exchange of experience between cities, and advancing international cooperation.