Abta described the new rules as “a huge blow for travel businesses” and called for government support, while The Inspire Group warned of a “huge impact on consumer confidence”.

An Abta spokesperson said: “While Abta understands that this is a rapidly evolving situation and public health must come first, the decision to require all arrivals to take a PCR test and self-isolate until a negative result is returned is a huge blow for travel businesses, many of which were only just starting to get back on their feet after 20 months of severe restrictions. 

“These changes will add cost to people’s holidays which will undoubtedly impact consumer demand and hold back the industry’s recovery, so it’s vital that this decision is kept under careful review and restrictions are lifted promptly if it becomes clear there is not a risk to the UK vaccination programme. 

“The government must also now consider offering tailored support for travel businesses, which have been amongst the hardest hit during the pandemic.”

Lisa Henning, The Inspire Group managing director, added: “The news around the new Omicron variant this weekend has had a huge impact on consumer confidence.  

“The increase in customers wanting help and reassurance has increased dramatically, and we have had hundreds of calls over the weekend, not just from those travelling imminently but also from clients with future travel plans.”

She described the news as “hugely disappointing” coming amid signs of a “strong” peaks.

“As an industry we now need to work hard to calm the market until the review in three weeks,” she added.

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said tweeted: “Measures to protect public health are paramount. Wiping out an entire economic sector even further isn’t. These restrictions dampen confidence, creating a crisis in itself for so many business owners and people employed in the travel industry.”

She called on the government to commit to genome sequencing of all positive PCR tests from international arrivals “as opposed to the tiny number that actually are”.

Clive Wratten, Business Travel Association chief executive, said the speed of the introduction of restrictions meant business travellers “are being left abroad” and said governments around the world “are acting without taking lessons from the last two years”.
 
“The introduction of costly PCR tests and mandatory self-isolation for all travellers until results are returned, will have a significant impact on business travel. It’s urgent that international protocols are introduced without delay to save lives, save economies and save our futures.”
 
Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK chief executive, said it understood the approach to travel from southern Africa and said it was hoped restrictions could be removed quickly.
 
“In the meantime, we urge ministers to make mandatory PCR tests free of charge for impacted passengers, many of whom are now in the invidious position of having less than 48 hours to arrange extra testing whilst overseas. 

“Many will struggle to do so which is why support from government – at no excessive cost to the exchequer – would be an appropriate gesture.”

Iata chief executive Willie Walsh told Radio 4: "It’s clear that these measures have been completely ineffective in the past yet impose huge hardship on people who are trying to connect with family and friends and clearly massive financial damage to the tourism and airline industry.”