VisitBritain is expecting the volume of inbound tourism in 2008 to be below levels achieved in 2006, with the value of inbound tourism remaining static during the year.

Despite this, the marketing agency says that 2008 will present a host of opportunities to grow the inbound visitor market across Britain, ranging from Liverpool being European Capital of Culture to the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport.

While inbound visits to Britain from China increased by 27 per cent during 2007, markets closer to home are also set to benefit from improved access to Britain thanks to Eurostar's recent move to St Pancras International.

Tourism chiefs are hoping that visitors from France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany will be lured by the offer of fast rail travel to Britain, increasing weekend stays in the capital.