On Wednesday (5 January), prime minister Boris Johnson announced the much-expected move to end pre-departure tests from 4am on Friday (7 January), as well as easing the Day 2 testing requirements.

Kuoni said the change in policy in England had already led to a “noticeable jump overnight” in calls to its high street stores and call centre.

The tour operator added that many customers were now confident enough to book their holidays, with some “big bookings” already being confirmed since the government announcement on Wednesday.

Derek Jones, Kuoni’s chief executive, said: “After two years of disruption to travel, it’s time to start getting excited about holidays again at long last.

“The scrapping of pre-departure testing and the switch from day two PCR to lateral flow tests should be the beginning of the end of Covid as a blocker to international travel.

“I predict travel will be 90% back to 2019 levels before the end of spring. We’re already seeing increased call volumes and enquiries about trips for the year ahead as confidence builds.”

Kuoni said that the Indian Ocean was its top seller, led by the popularity of destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.