TEHRAN (Tehran Times) — Iran’s tourism industry has suffered a loss of some 220 tln rials (about $5.2 bln at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials/$) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister said on Tuesday.

The Iranian tourism industry is predominantly based on visits to Shiite shrines. With more than 55% of all the hotels in Iran, the holy city of Mashhad is the hub of tourism in the country. Under normal circumstances, some 20 mln pilgrims from Iran and more than 2 mln foreign pilgrims and tourists visit the city every year.