The U.S. government is extending a ban on nonessential travel along the borders with Canada and Mexico to slow the spread of COVID-19 despite increasing pressure to lift the restriction.

But Spains Balearic Islands are betting that their Mediterranean blue waters, warm sun and sandy beaches are enough to lure back the tourists that their residents' livelihoods depend on. The beach is empty, German tourist Martin Hofmann said Wednesday while walking along the beach of Palma, Mallorca's main city. In Spains Balearic and Canary Islands, however, the dependence on tourism jumps to over 30% of their economies. The Balearic Islands economy is on course for a very deep recession, said Carmen Planas, the president of the business group. But until then, the Balearic Islands are off-limits for visitors, even for Spaniards from the mainland, except for the trial run of German tourists.