Leading figures from the county’s tourism industry claim it is going from strength to strength despite the economic downturn.

The weakness of the pound compared to the euro and an existing strong connection with the continent are being deemed the catalysts for the situation.

As the industry defies the economic slowdown it is thought it could provide relief to the credit crunch by creating jobs.

It comes as figures reveal the county is in recession for the first time since 1991.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent, said: "I would be surprised if the tourism industry did not grow by at least 10 per cent this year.

"People are looking closer to home to take their breaks because they have less money and we are now receiving many more requests for information from Europe than last year.

"We have location in our favour. Kent has always been well known as a destination in the near continental markets and we have ferry companies at Dover and Eurotunnel on our side.

"We hold many cards over our competitors and neighbours."

Mrs Matthews-Marsh was positive about the impact a thriving tourism industry could have on Kent’s inhabitants.

"The sector is predicted by the Government and economic experts to be robust in this recession," she added.

"We hope tourism will not only sustain its current jobs but there will be opportunities for those who sadly find themselves not in work to come into the industry."

~ Audio: Sandra Matthews-Marsh tells kmfm more about Kent's tourism boom >>>

The mood is shared by bosses at Kent’s attractions.

Chief executive of Kent Attractions LLP Simon Hume-Kendall, who owns attractions like Bewl Water, said: "It’s unusual because a lot less people appear to be going abroad but we are seeing far more foreigners in Britain than we have seen for a long time.

"The strength of the euro against the pound encourages people to visit Kent and also encourages people not to go to foreign climes."