MADRID — Spain’s national statistics office said that it received zero international tourists in April after the nation had closed its borders at the height of its coronavirus outbreak.

In April 2019, 7 million tourists spent 7 billion euros ($7.8 billion) in Spain.

Spain is waiting until July to reopen its border for foreign tourists. In the meantime, authorities are encouraging Spaniards to vacation inside at home.

Tourism is a pillar of Spain’s economy. Eighty million annual visitors generate 12% of Spain’s gross domestic product and help employ 2.6 million people.

Amid the global economic slowdown provoked by the pandemic, Spain’s government forecasts its economy will shrink by 9% and unemployment to reach 19% this year.