Holidaymakers will be encouraged to take a "staycation" this summer to save the nation's tourism industry.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden gave the struggling sector a boost today as he suggested that Airbnb holiday lets could reopen first.
He said hopes to reopen UK holiday spots in July, and pledged to be “at the forefront of championing the campaign for British tourism.”
And he claimed to MPs that he prefers British holidays to overseas jaunts.
In the House of Commons, Mr Dowden said: “As the Prime Minister has said, we have set this very ambitious target to try and get the sector back by July 4, so long as it is safe to do so, and I am working to make that a reality.”
In response to a question about accommodation, he continued: "Self-let accommodation has a lower risk, so I would hope that is at the front of the queue."
The news will come as sweet relief for thousands of Brits who have spent the last few months cooped up at home.
Currently, under government restrictions, people in England can travel as far as they like within the country.
But they cannot stay anywhere overnight and foreign travel is at a standstill.
New quarantine rules, which begin on Monday, means nearly anyone entering the UK will have to quarantine for two weeks.
The controversial measures have faced heavy criticism - from the tourism sector and experts who say the rule is inefficient.
The UK tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic - especially seaside towns which rely on their summer economy.
The Culture Secretary said today that he is working with the Chancellor Rishi Sunak at “looking at further measures” for seaside workers.
And he revealed that the Government will be “investing extensively” in a major campaign to promote holidays to British seaside towns after the lockdown measures are further relaxed.
In the Commons, he said: “I think it is really important that, as I said, we’re hoping to get tourism back as rapidly as possible, and when it is back we will be investing extensively ensuring we have a major campaign to encourage British people to take British staycations.”
An Airbnb spokeswoman said: “The British summer holiday is back on the horizon and hosts are getting ready to provide accommodation away from the crowds that's local, private, clean and safe.
"Domestic travel made up almost 2 in 3 trips on Airbnb last year and hosts stand ready to welcome guests back, as soon the government says it's safe to do so.”
