The figures were revealed by Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, during the 2021 Tourism Alliance Conference.

The WTTC claimed that further damage could be done to the "already embattled sector" if new restrictions are imposed, such as potential measures which would see all travellers requiring a booster jab before they travel overseas.

It said that if restrictions were enforced in 2022, more than half a million jobs could be at risk next year.

Simpson said the "very real" prospect of more than 500,000 people losing their jobs across the industry because of "unnecessary" travel restrictions is a "huge concern" to the WTTC.

"We cannot afford to let all the hard-earned progress we’ve made this year slide back and be reversed," she added.

"Too many people’s livelihoods are at risk, as well as the continuing economic recovery of the UK."

Last year, WTTC research claimed 307,000 sector jobs were lost.

Further analysis from the body claimed the government could see up to £5.3 billion wiped from the sector’s contribution to the economy before the end of 2021 if severe travel restrictions come back into force.