From 26 to 28 October 2026, a delegation of the Ashgabat City Administration, headed by Mayor Rahym Gandymov, visited Busan, Republic of Korea, at the invitation of the Mayor of Busan to participate in the 2nd World Tourism Cities Summit. About this reports MFA of Turkmenistan.

Held under the theme “Local Tourism: Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation,” the summit brought together representatives of 31 cities from 16 countries, international organizations, experts and tourism industry stakeholders.

On 26 October, during the Mayors’ Roundtable, R. Gandymov presented Ashgabat’s tourism potential, highlighting its status as the white-marble capital of Turkmenistan and a venue for international events. Particular attention was paid to the country’s historical and cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Mayor of Ashgabat put forward proposals to expand intercity cooperation in tourism, cultural exchanges and joint events, and invited summit participants to visit Turkmenistan.

On the same day, R. Gandymov met with Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon. The sides discussed prospects for developing partnerships between the two cities, exchanging experience in tourism infrastructure and digital services, and strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation.

On 27 October, the Turkmen delegation participated in a special session dedicated to cooperation in local tourism and expanding links between the tourism markets of the Republic of Korea and Central Asia. The discussion featured a presentation of Ashgabat’s tourism potential, modern infrastructure and historical and cultural attractions.

As part of the summit, the international exhibition “Global City Tourism Roadshow” was also held. Turkmenistan presented a dedicated stand showcasing the country’s historical and cultural heritage, national traditions and the tourism potential of Ashgabat.