That’s a fair statement!
Turkmenistan is not sitting idle; there’s a lot of work and construction going on. New roads, airports, and even cities, thanks to the enormous gas revenues.
The people seem relaxed and happy.
Yes, the country isn’t as open as the other four Central Asian countries and remains an outlier in the region. An invitation letter to purchase a visa upon arrival remains necessary for now. But it seems only a matter of time before this becomes easier.
Turkmenistan has a lot to offer and, in my opinion, deserves more attention from more tourists!