The hospitality industry sector’s turnover value index took a hammering in 2020 while information technology rose sharply, reflecting the effects of the restrictions imposed by the government because of the coronavirus pandemic, statistical service data showed on Friday.

According to the data, the hospitality sector recorded an annual decline of 56 per cent while administrative activities fell by 31 per cent and professional, scientific, and technical activities by 10.8 per cent.

The information and communication sector rose 2.3 per cent year-on-year, the service said.

Only information technology, among economic activity sectors, recorded a huge rise of 65.3 per cent, reflecting the transfer to online activities due to restrictions and the need of physical distancing to prevent the spread of infection. Publishing activities also saw a rise of 16 per cent.