The British Tourism Authority's rough estimate for losses to the industry is between £100m and £150m a week. In March last year, the industry made £840m.

However, the season begins in earnest in April. Last year profits soared to more than a billion in that month.

The worst affected areas have been Cumbria and south-west Devon, with the movement bans badly affecting walking and activity holidays in those regions. American and Canadian visitors' fears have been largely assuaged, the BTA says.The tourist authority's concern is focused in Europe where 250,000 fewer visitors are expected to travel from France this year.