An east Kent hotelier says he believes the county’s tourism industry will be given a much-needed boost in 2009 as the value of the pound continues to fall.

Gavin Oakley, who owns Wallet’s Court Country House Hotel and Spa at Westcliffe and the White Cliffs Hotel in St Margaret’s, said visitors from Europe are set to flock to the UK next year.

"Continued strength of the Euro makes the UK a popular choice of destination for European visitor," said Mr Oakley.

He has already noticed a sharp increase in inquiries and bookings from across the Channel for his two hotels, and the number of European guests at Wallett’s Court in 2008 was up around 10 per cent on the previous year.

"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," he said. "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. "

Mr Oakley invested £1.5m in opening The White Cliffs Hotel in May 2007.Wallett’s Court Hotel is a four-star country house hotel, restaurant and spa.