Spain's tourism industry is not expected to be "back to normal" until the end of 2020 due to coronavirus.
Hotels, bars and restaurants in holiday hotspots could be worse hit following the lifting of lockdown measures.
Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz revealed yesterday that there is set be a two-stage plan to "re-open Spain".
But the holiday industry will take a backseat during the de-escalation period, with big businesses - including banks and companies in the production sector - the first to return gradually.
Tourism, culture and leisure, airlines and cruises may not return to normal until the end of the year.
In an interview on TVE, Diaz said the industry is going to have "enormous difficulties" but “that is why we are designing a plan which will provide a cushioning for this process.”
Government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said leaders are working on ‘how to protect the industry’ but confirmed that ‘tourist activity will not begin until it is safe for visitors and workers.’
She added that there also needs to be coordination with the rest of the EU when it comes to lifting travel restrictions.
Spain was one of the European countries hit hardest by coronavirus - along with Italy, France and the UK - but the spread is starting to slow down.
The country is still under lockdown, but heavy industry and construction workers returned to work on Monday after a two-week hiatus.
The Spanish tourism minister didn't rule out restrictions such as "hand washing and social distancing on the beaches" staying in place once international tourism restarts.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper El Pais, she said: "We have to guarantee, when international tourism opens, that the person who comes to Spain is a safe person.
She added: "On how you will be able to enjoy our beaches, we are defining different scenarios.
"It is very important that the sanitary recommendations are maintained, we are going to have to internalise what we are already doing now, hand washing, social distancing ... even on the beaches.
