The petition highlights Shapps’s comments dating to 7 May when he said international travel would restart from 17 May, "bringing long-awaited relief to hard-hit airlines, airports and the tourism sector".

However, it contrasts this with the government’s decision on Thursday (3 June), announced by Shapps, to remove Portugal from the UK’s quarantine-free green list.

"After the planned removal of Portugal, only one destination on the green list is accessible and accepting Brits who are not vaccinated: Gibraltar," read the petition.

"Families across the UK are not only craving a holiday but also want to be reunited with their loved ones who many people have not seen in over a year."

It comes shortly after the UK government confirmed 50% of the population was now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 75% have had their first jab.

According to Airlines UK, a "lost summer" of international travel will amount to £55.7 billion in lost trade and £3 billion in lost tourism GDP if a meaningful resumption of international travel is delayed until September.

Dozens of travel industry professionals have signed the petition and shared it on social media, including Latin Routes and Polar Routes co-founder and director Martin Johnson, Holiday Extras national retail manager Lindsay Garvey-Jones and Inghams head of agency sales Julie Franklin.

Julie Croucher, owner of Travel with Jules, tweeted: "It’s time to make a final fight for survival. Please sign and share this campaign #SaveTravel. Grant Shapps, you have failed to support the travel industry."