The travel and tourism sector in the UK and Spain has reacted with dismay to reports that Boris Johnson has decided not to give the Balearic islands quarantine-free green status in the latest review of the traffic light system.
Hotels and businesses in the Balearic Islands, which includes Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, have been stunned by the bombshell which is expected to be confirmed by UK transport secretary Grant Shapps at 5pm on Thursday.
Spanish and Greek islands plus Malta were among the destinations experts believed were front-runners for green status but those hopes appear to be dashed, according to local media.
Tourism chiefs in the region were confident it would get the green light after the Balearics recorded infection figures much lower than the threshold used by the UK Government to out nations on the green list.
Thousands of jobs and many businesses, including those owned by British expats, are now under serious threat with at least a three-week wait before the next update.
It is thought the emergence of the Indian variant of the virus and fears over possible infections from other strains originating overseas, that has influenced Boris Johnson's decision.
Some countries currently on the green list - including Portugal - could move to the amber category.
The UK policy is a major blow for the Balearic and Spanish tourism sector. Many hotels were awaiting the arrival of British tourists before reopening.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said he would be “surprised” if the Balearic Islands were added on Thursday.
“They’re hugely popular and I’m not sure the Government is ready to encourage so much travel at the moment," he said.
