Hope for Spanish summer holidays: Madrid 'wants to welcome first tourists in spring' and denies claim it could be shut to holidaymakers this summer

Spain has denied a claim it could shut to holidaymakers this summer as a minister revealed it wanted to welcome the first tourists in the spring. 

Spain wants to 'reactivate tourism' as soon as possible, said the tourism minister, despite reports suggesting Spain might not open to holidaymakers until September.

Reyes Maroto, minister of industry, trade and tourism, told the Telegraph vaccinations mean other countries' populations could soon travel safely.  

She said: 'Our priority in 2021 is to reactivate tourism and resume safe mobility on a global scale as soon as possible.

'We hope that at the end of spring and especially during the summer, international travel will resume and travellers will choose Spain as their destination.'

It comes after reports suggested Spain might not fully reopen to holidaymakers until at least September. Pictured, a healthcare worker disinfects his colleague after treating a patient suffering with coronavirus in Ronda, southern Spain

Reyes Maroto , minister of industry, trade and tourism, told the Telegraph vaccinations mean other countries' populations could soon travel safely

It was thought Spain could be closed to international travel until September, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said only 'mass vaccinations will open the way to normality', adding that vaccination was only likely to be completed at the end of the summer.

Britons have raced to secure trips to popular spots like Costa Del Sol and Menorca in the hopes of reduced coronavirus restrictions by the summer, MailOnline revealed yesterday.

Reservations on rental cottages in the UK are 63 per cent higher than last year as others take the more cautious approach of planning a staycation amid tightening border restrictions in the UK.

It was thought Spain could be closed to international travel until after summer, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said only 'mass vaccinations will open the way to normality'

But airlines have been encouraging potential holidaymakers to book their summer getaways this month - despite Priti Patel saying it is too soon to tell what the restrictions will be in the warmer months.

Last year restrictions were eased as cases fell when the mercury rose, but it is still unknown whether this year will follow a similar trajectory. 

At Thursday's coronavirus briefing, the Home Secretary said: 'It is is far too early in terms to speculate around restrictions, such as the point you just made should people be booking a holiday.'

But one travel agency founder told MailOnline he had seen a 300 per cent increase in bookings this month compared to November. Tom Harding at Nemo said: 'These are split between staycations from March, European trips from around June and longer haul from September.

Last year restrictions were eased as cases fell when the mercury rose, but it is still unknown whether this year will follow a similar trajectory. Pictured, police officers in Ronda, Spain

'In the last few days there's been a definite increase in inquiries and bookings but everyone needs really flexible terms so we're offering cancellation up to a month before.' 

Despite the uncertainty, one recent EasyJet advertisement has encouraged Britons to book now to make the most of cheap prices. It said: 'You deserve something to look forward to... We've got high hopes for this summer – we want as many of you as possible to get away on well-deserved getaways. Book now and save £50 per person on your next holiday.'

The advertisement, sent to customers in the form of an email, reassured those worried about coronavirus uncertainty that the bookings were 'super flexible'.  

Yesterday, 42,885 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Spain, alongside 400 deaths.