Sian Brenchly, a spokesman for the tourism agency, said: “We have found that the economic situation is making people take another look at holidays at home.

Malcolm Bell, the chief executive of Tourism South West, said he believed the boost in business for the industry triggered by the weak pound could outweigh the negative effects of the recession. “We are already getting reports of a significant rise in business because of the weak pound and we are urging our members to really seize the opportunity,” he said.

“All the research over the past few months shows us that people view a holiday as a necessity, not a luxury and so they will continue to spend on them. With all this stress and recession, I think there is also a feeling that people need their holidays, that life is too short not to enjoy them.”

The number of foreign visitors coming to Britain has also increased. Quenton Fyfe from AboutBritain.com said that the weak pound is attracting more European visitors to spend in shops, restaurants and hotels. The New Forest nestling between the splendid shopping centres of Bournemouth and Southampton is uniquely placed to enjoy the European visitor spending boom.