The Spanish government has announced a near €4.3 billion (£3.8 billion) plan to help rescue the country’s tourism industry.
Spain, the world’s second-most visited country after France, will reopen its borders next week to visitors from the EU, including the UK, after a three-month closure.
The crisis has devastated the country’s tourism industry. Revenues about halved in the four months to April and no tourists travelled to Spain at all that month and the next because of its strict lockdown.
Announcing the tourism move, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: “We are a world leader and each step we take will be safe.”
Most of the package, about €2.5 billion (£2.25 billion), is made up of credit guarantees offered by the government for tourism operators.
The aid package will include advertising campaigns and cash transfers to state-controlled airport operator Aena to cut landing fees and other charges.
The government will help companies by suspending mortgage payments for up to 12 months and grant aid for health and safety measures and training for workers.
