The Central Bank yesterday estimated earnings from tourism in the first four months of this year to be at $ 19 million following the re-opening of the country’s borders in late January.

The earnings, however, are substantially low in comparison to $ 682 million earned in the first four months of the last year; the tail end of which saw the onset of the COVID pandemic. 

The Central Bank said the tourism sector experienced a limited number of arrivals in April. Tourist arrivals in April were recorded at 4,168, compared to 4,581 arrivals in March. Total tourist arrivals of 13,797 were recorded during the first four months of 2021, compared to 507,311 arrivals in the corresponding period of 2020. The main source countries of tourist arrivals in April 2021 were India, China and Kazakhstan. Earnings from tourism, which are estimated based on tourist arrivals, amounted to $ 6 million in April. 

• Trade deficit widens further in April

• End-April reserves $ 4.5 b: CB