Peru's income from this same activity, before the Covid-19 pandemic, exceeds 4 billion dollars. Data from the neighbouring government show that between 2011 and 2015, its income from inbound tourism increased by almost 50%.
The IBCE points out that, up to July, Bolivia received 332,436 foreign tourists, about a quarter of the visitors who came to the country in 2019, when around 1.2 million visitors arrived on Bolivian soil.
The Monetary Policy Report, issued by the Central Bank of Bolivia, states that although tourism activity from January to May 2022 showed a recovery, "it is still below pre-pandemic levels".
Bolivia's varied tourism offer can satisfy the most demanding expectations. Among the many tourist destinations, ready to amaze locals and foreigners alike, we can cite the following:
The ruins of the ancient pre-Columbian city of Tiwanaku, less than 70 km from the city of La Paz.
Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, at an altitude of 3,800 metres above sea level, with a surface area of just over 8,000 square kilometres.
Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat and the country's most popular tourist attraction, in the middle of the Andes, with a surface area of almost 11,000 km2. This salt flat is featured in Episode 8 of the Star Wars saga.
This highland region is also home to the Eduardo Avaroa National Andean Fauna Reserve, with some of the most unusual landscapes on the planet. It includes the Verde, Colorada and Hedionda lagoons.
Madidi National Park and Noel Kempff Mercado Park in the Bolivian Amazon.
The Oruro Carnival, which takes place on the Saturday before the carnival starts.
Sajama National Park, the oldest national park in Bolivia, home to the Nevado Sajama, hot springs and mountain climbing routes.
The Jesuit missions of the Chiquitania region, about six hours from the city of Santa Cruz.
Toro Toro National Park, in northern Potosí, with dinosaur footprints, the Umajalanta cavern, cave paintings and the Toro Toro Valley canyon.
Marco Mercado, president of the Bolivian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, was clear in pointing out that three measures are urgently needed to reactivate tourism: reducing VAT, improving Bolivia's air connectivity (domestic and international) and promoting the country abroad.
We must be aware that tourism contributes to economic reactivation, industrialisation and import substitution.
And it is very clear that we will not be able to reactivate tourism without the active participation of the private sector.