MILLIONS of extra American dollars could flow into Kent following a trail-blazing tourist mission to the United States.

Around 30 tourism chiefs have just spent a week in New York, Washington DC and Virginia spelling out the county’s attractions. They have been worried for some time about a dip in high-spending American visitors to the county since 9/11.

Kent Tourism Alliance (KTA) is one year into a three-year marketing campaign that aims to halt and reverse the decline.

Bosses believe that Jamestown 2007, the 400th anniversary of the momentous voyage to the New World by the first settlers from Kent and eastern England – essentially the founders of the United States – will help their cause.

Another boost could come from The New World, a feature film about the first settlers and the Native American princess Pocahontas, who is buried in Gravesend, released next month.

A KTA delegation led by Lord and Lady De L’Isle, the owners of Penshurst Place, and including hotel and attraction chiefs from across the county met tour operators, travel writers and VIPs during a packed schedule. They tried to convince them that Kent, with its wealth of heritage, beautiful countryside and location close to London and France, was worth promoting to Americans.

A specially-commissioned DVD showing Kent’s role in the founding of the United States was screened at several venues. A map has been produced showing the historic sites with American connections in the county.

Copywriters have come up with two slogans to tempt Americans: Begin you adventure where your ancestors began theirs, and Discover the very first chapter in the history of the United States of America.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, KTA chief executive, said the aim was to increase the number of American visitors – currently about 200,000 a year – by 20 per cent. Americans spend six or seven times as much as a domestic tourist.

She found that awareness of Jamestown 2007 was still not high, especially outside Virginia. But she was confident that the campaign – costing around £200,000 in the first year alone – and mission would help achieve the target.

She said: "I think we should get the 20 per cent growth we’re looking for. I don’t think that’s unrealistic. Jamestown 2007 gives us the impetus to hit the American market again. If we can get our partners to make links and develop relationships, that’s job done."

But she admitted there was more work to be done and they had only scratched the surface.

"It’s good we have icons that are recognised like Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle, but we’ve got lots of work to do to put Kent firmly on the map. I am really confident we have the produce that will meet the needs of the market. We’ve now got to do a fine and outstanding marketing job."

Victoria Wallace, chief executive of Leeds Castle, said the mission exceeded her expectations.

She had got some useful leads that should bring more tourists to the attraction, including special holiday packages for wedding couples and honeymooners.