HOTEL bookings across the isle have soared by nearly 150 per cent thanks to a flood of foreign visitors taking advantage of the strong Euro.

Rooms across Thanet are filling up fast, with some hoteliers reporting they have had no vacancies for July and August. Travellers from across Europe including France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Spain are all descending on the isle, encouraged by the Euro-Pound exchange rate.

The figures showing bookings are more than double last year’s total come from the isle’s visitor information centres (VICs) and Visit Kent, a group which promotes the county’s tourism.

The VICs, run by Thanet council, are also experiencing a boost with income up nearly 50 per cent from the same time last year.

In a year that saw the British economy nosedive, Thanet council tourism boss Shirley Tomlinson believes families are holidaying in the UK – and where else but the isle?

Cllr Tomlinson said the authority is bracing itself for a bumper summer.

She said: “Thanet really has reaped the rewards. As well as having some of the most stunning coastline and beaches in the country, there are an incredible amount of festivals, events and activities this summer.”

Bill Hackney, 61, has run the South Lodge Guest House in Broadstairs for five years with wife Christa.

The father-of-four said: “I can’t say we’re up 150 per cent but our income has increased by 34 per cent. We have a very high occupancy and this is our best year by a long way.

“We’ve had a fair few people from Germany and Belgium coming over because of the strength of the Euro against the pound. A lot of them come over especially for shopping in Canterbury and Westwood Cross.

“It’s tending to be short breaks for about three days. I think people like coming to Broadstairs for the beaches and increasingly the restaurants. We’re so well situated in the south east, making it very easy for people to come down.”