Phil Orford, the organisation’s chief executive, claims an increasing number of holidaymakers intend to take their vacation in the UK, including a larger group of domestic residents.

He explains: ‘The value, diversity and level of service provided by small businesses in the tourism sector should be shouted from the rooftops. Promoting UK tourism is vital for economic recovery.’

The FPB also cites research from tourist group VisitBritain, which shows that around 20 per cent of people who took a foreign holiday in 2008 plan to stay in the UK this year and 51 per cent are not happy with rising flight costs.

Mike Bedingfield, marketing director of VisitBritain, says that the economic downturn offers small tourism businesses the opportunity to remind holidaymakers of the value-for-money experiences which can be found in the UK.

The Association of British Travel Agents recently revealed that there has been an increase in the number of Britons vacationing in the UK, although a spokesperson pointed out people travelling overseas benefit the economy by supporting British tour operators.