WTTC estimates taking such measures would save around 1.93 million jobs in the UK travel sector alone, as the industry struggles to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council plans to establish a global taskforce to “spearhead the revival of international travel”, which will be made up 12 chief executives whose organisations are WTTC members plus other business and institutional leaders.

The move to create the taskforce follows the G20 meeting of tourism ministers earlier this month which discussed a jobs recovery plan.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “What came out of the historic G20 meeting with international business leaders was a clear consensus that only co-operation at the highest level and engagement with the public and private sector will achieve action.

“It is vital that air corridors be restored between the world’s leading financial hubs, such as the hugely important transatlantic route between London and New York.

“Restoring these routes for international business travellers must be coupled with the agreement and adoption of globally recognised standards for a rapid, cost-effective airport test-and-trace regime.”

Guevara added that these measures would “help create a safe and hygienic environment” for the “beleaguered” travel sector.

“The economic fallout from Covid-19 continues to relentlessly burn its way through the travel and tourism sector,” she said.

“Our plan could save 100 million jobs through strong international co-operation, removing travel barriers and introducing an international testing protocol at airports to minimise the spread of Covid-19.”