The plunging pound will be good news for Kent tourism next year, experts predict.

As the euro comes close to parity with the pound, they expect the sector to defy the credit crunch and do well in 2009.

They believe the exchange rate will boost visitor numbers from Continental Europe and also persuade fewer British people to cross the Channel.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of VisitKent, the county’s tourism marketing agency, said: "The evidence is growing domestic tourism may well see a boom year in 2009. We believe visitors will be looking closer to home to spend their leisure time."

The falling pound would make it more expensive for people to go to mainland Europe and that Kent will benefit.

"We think Kent is very well placed to make the most of the strength of the euro."

VisitKent’s website tells visitors they can beat the credit crunch by coming to Kent because it is "great value for money".

There is also a new business-to-business website – www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk - to link investors, tourism businesses and media.

Ms Matthews-Marsh added: "In the current economic climate it’s imperative that our local businesses are well informed and work together to maximise the great opportunities Kent has to offer."

Tourism businesses would be offering great deals. "It’s not all doom and gloom and we think tourism will be one of the sectors that rides the recession quite well."

East Kent hotel owner Gavin Oakley has forecast an invasion of visitors from the Eurozone. He said he has already noticed a sharp increase in inquiries and bookings from across the Channel for his two hotels: Wallett’s Court Country House Hotel and Spa in Westcliffe, and The White Cliffs Hotel in St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, near Dover.

The number of European guests at Wallett’s Court this year were up around 10 per cent over the previous year, and he is stepping up his marketing campaigns in Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

He said: "Being on the doorstep of Europe, we find that the hotels are a great barometer to judge the effects of sways in the balance between euro and sterling.

"There is without doubt a strong correlation between the number of European guests visiting our hotels and the relative strength or weakness of the pound."

He added: "Kent offers great value for money in 2009 for both Euro-zone travellers and domestic tourists."