Collins, who is managing director and founder of TravelMedia.ie and Travel Trade Representation (TTR), said this week’s challenge was designed to show how “the rest of Europe is open for business”.

As part of the challenge, Collins is taking antigen Covid tests at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Vienna and Hamburg airports over three days to emphasise to the Irish and UK governments the importance of testing and screening to revive international travel.

“Europe is open for travel, so why do Ireland and the UK remain as good as closed? As flights within Europe continue to sell out, flights to and from Ireland continue to fly almost empty,” said Collins.

“The aim is to show that travel is possible, and that testing and screening is the way forward. If there is any hope for the travel industry, the Irish government must be more supportive of travel. Discouraging travel is not the way forward. Establishing safe, effective, and affordable screening and testing procedures is.”