Only 53% of members surveyed in September said they were confident about future bookings and revenues, compared with 86% as the summer season began in March. Confidence is at its lowest since September 2016.

The downbeat view comes despite 81% of members reporting that revenue had either increased or stayed the same compared to 2016. In addition, 72% said they had visitor and booking numbers similar or higher than July and August last year due to the weak pound.

Richard Bryan, managing director of Qa Research, which surveyed 53 of the 390 UKinbound members, said there was no data as to why confidence had fallen, but that this would be explored in the next survey in November.

“I know from some of the issues we have investigated that the big concern will be the rules regarding free movement that we end up with regarding workers and visitors. “That’s the looming concern coming up,” he said.

The survey also showed that the USA remains the top growth market, up 26% in September, with China up 21%. Germany, down 9%, replaced France as the main declining market, down 8%. However 51% said they were not experiencing any declines from overseas sources.

UKinbound chief executive officer Deirdre Wells said: “It’s encouraging to hear from members that July and August were positive months with regards to visitor numbers, bookings and revenue. However I am concerned that confidence is low amongst our members about future business.”