People could be allowed to travel to North Wales for Easter but restaurants, pubs and cafes may remain shut.
The Welsh Government is expected to publish a roadmap to reopening schools and the economy this week following a fall in covid cases and the progression of the vaccine rollout.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has been pressed on what parts of the tourism economy could reopen for Easter in April - a crucial period for the sector.
He said that they could pursue a similar policy to that last summer with self contained holiday accommodation opening first - reports North Wales Live.
This could mean cottages, lodges and potentially hotel rooms being opened for bookings.
But he also made clear he did not expect hospitality to be part of that initial reopening of the economy.
Mr Drakeford told BBC Politics Wales: "I can't imagine we will be opening hospitality in that way but I do want to recognise how important it is."
When asked if outdoor hospitality could be allowed, he added: "What I think we are looking at for Easter, and I want to recognise how important Easter is for the tourism industry, are the sort of first steps that we offered last year where we were able to reopen self contained accommodation first for people and then demonstrate the success of that and move on.
"That was a welcome move last year.
"If things continue to improve and we are in that position closer to April then I hope we will be able to offer that but we will have to assess that in the conditions at the time."
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At times last years hotels in Wales were able to open but only provide meals in people's rooms - and later outdoor hospitality was allowed.
Meanwhile, UK Hospitality said for every week the hospitality sector remains shut down more companies are being placed in jeopardy and millions of jobs across hospitality and the supply chain are being put at risk across the whole of the United Kingdom.
The trade association's chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: "That is why we urge the prime minister to work with us on delivering a safe, swift and sustainable exit from lockdown for hospitality."
