WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report said the sector would act as a “driving force” for the region’s post-Covid recovery.

Travel and tourism is forecast to grow by 3.3% annual over the next decade - twice the rate of the overall European economy - while the industry’s GDP is predicted to rise by 31.4% to €1.73 trillion.

WTTC European data for 2021 found a 4.7% increase in the number of travel and tourism jobs in the region, accounting for just over 9% of total roles and in stark contrast to the 12.5% fall the previous year.

Europe also clawed back its contribution to GDP with a 28% rise to account for 6.2% of Europe’s overall economy to €1.3 trillion - up from a 5.2% contribution of just over €1 trillion in 2020.

The region’s recovery was in part driven by “significant growth” in key destination markets, such as Greece, which according to the WTTC saw a year-on-year growth of 75%, followed by Turkey 61% and Italy 59%.

WTTC praised the EU Commission which is said had played “a major role” in the recovery of the tourism sector following the launch of its Digital Covid Certificate last year, with more than 1.7 billion certificates issued.

However, the WTTC described how in several non-European countries, tourism jobs growth had been “much slower than expected” due to “numerous failed attempts” by governments to clamp down on transmission of the Omicron variant.

Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “In terms of contribution to Europe’s economy and jobs, the sector will almost reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year as the sector’s recovery continues its momentum.

“The recovery in 2021 was slower than expected due to the impact of the Omicron and the uncoordinated response by European governments around border closures which failed to stop the spread of the virus, but did cause real and lasting damage to economies and livelihoods.”