One of Spain's biggest industries is calling for more government help to save it from total collapse.

Spain's hospitality sector has been one of the worst-affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of its unions took to the streets on Tuesday calling for more support. 

Currently, food and drink venues have been forced to close in 10 of Spain's 17 regions as infections continue to increase. 

Spain has become just the third country in Europe to register more than 3 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic – with only France and the UK having more infections. 

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Make or break for hospitality industry

Representatives of Madrid's hotels, bars, cafe and restaurants held a protest on Tuesday asking for more financial help from the Spanish government. Similar demonstrations were held all over the country.

The union leaders smashed plates in front of the watching media to symbolize how their industry has been left in ruins due to the financial effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We haven't received any direct help from the government – even worse, they just don't listen to us. Their promises are weak and never fulfilled. Thousands and thousands of businesses in the hospitality industry are closing. We are losing too many workers who don't even qualify for furlough. They're now unemployed." Rafael Andres Llorente, from the Spain Hostelry Association, told CGTN Europe.

The world's oldest restaurant feeling the pinch

No one is immune to the financial fallout from the pandemic, even Madrid's most famous restaurant has suffered huge losses.

The Sobrino de Botin, first opened in 1725 is officially the world's oldest restaurant still in continuous operation.

José González's family owns the Madrid institution, he said the past 12 months have been among the toughest of the establishment's 296 years.

"We're having a bad time right now, as is most of the hospitality industry. I don't understand why they've put such tough restrictions in place for restaurants. I can't say we've never had an infection here, but I do believe they should focus more on other places where people gather socially."

Direct help needed

Spain's hospitality sector, which employs more than 360,000 people, has received some government help in the shape of the furlough scheme, rent reductions and tax cuts. 

However, places like Botin say more direct help is needed to help keep their businesses afloat.

If not, expect to see more closed and for sale signs cropping up across the country.