Antonio Paradiso, managing director UK and Ireland, told TTG he felt ministers were not currently appreciating the importance of the industry to the UK economy.

When asked if the winning party should give stronger backing to the travel trade, Paradiso said: “I think they should. I don’t think they have paid much attention lately to the travel and leisure industry.

“Of course they have Brexit and other internal issues [to concentrate on] but I think it is about time they understand that the travel and leisure industry is a great asset to the national economy.”

British voters will head to the polls on Thursday (June 8) with the Conservatives under prime minister Theresa May currently holding a narrow lead in voter opinion polls.

Paradiso, who took charge of MSC Cruises’ UK business in March last year, was speaking onboard the line’s new 5,714-passenger flagship MSC Meraviliga in Le Havre ahead of its christening by screen icon Sophia Loren.

Paradiso stressed that Britain should take inspiration from other European nations for how to grow its tourism industry and the benefit a flourishing sector would have.

"There are countries in Europe [whose economies] actually live on tourism and I think the UK has a great opportunity there,” he continued.

“It would be nice to see the government facilitating our business more because I can’t deny there are many challenges [in the sector] I love challenges but it would be nice to receive some more concrete support from the government.”