A slap in the face for tourism operators hoping for a Government lifeline.

This morning, the Tourism Minister warned operators who're still struggling it's probably time for a tough conversation.

Stuart Nash says overseas tourists won't be back for at least 11 months, but the wage subsidy is reserved for Alert Level changes.

But Tourism Industry Aotearoa's Chris Roberts told Heather du Plessis-Allan they'd prefer operators to hibernate - rather than fold.

“We’re continuing to have that conversation with the government on what might do to help those businesses to hibernate. And by that I mean, yes they close down now if they simply don’t have customers – the borders are closed – but we are going to need them when the borders do open.”

He says it raises serious questions.

“Do we want towns absolutely dying or do we have to treat those as special cases from the government to get in and support those places?”

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