The travel association said it was urging for the assessment after the result of last week’s vote “verified the electorate’s hard Brexit fears” which it shares and believes could damage the UK tourism industry.

UKinbound has surveyed its members regarding the new government’s tourism priorities and is calling on the Conservatives and its potential coalition partners the DUP in Northern Ireland to implement a strong deal for the sector and visa reforms as part of Brexit negotiations.

Of those who responded to the survey, which was carried out in May, 75% of respondents stated the implementation of a strong sector deal, as part of the post-Brexit industrial strategy, and the improvement of the visa process for key markets, are their top priorities.

With negotiations scheduled to begin next week, UKinbound said it wanted to remind Westminster that the UK’s tourism industry employs more than three million people across the country, and in 2016 was responsible for contributing over £22 billion annually to the UK economy.

UKinbound wants the government to address the following points during Brexit negotiations:

• An immigration system flexible to business needs - residency rights for EU workers
• Continued access to the Open Skies agreement
• Visa-free travel between the UK and the EU
• A strong narrative promoting the UK as a welcoming destination

Deirdre Wells, UKinbound chief executive said: “The general election result clearly shows that the electorate is against a hard Brexit, and so is the UK inbound tourism industry.

“Our members are calling for a continued strong relationship with the EU and the implementation of a sector deal that addresses issues such as the customs union, Open Skies agreement and residency rights for EU workers.

“For inbound tourism to prosper long-term we need the Conservatives and DUP to champion our industry.”