Britain's decision to leave the EU could be a two sided coin with benefits as well as costs according to key figures from tourism and local business.

While uncertainty still abounds following the result of the referendum on June 23, most agree that the worst extremes threatened by campaigners on both sides were exaggerated, and now is time to make the most of the potential upsides of Brexit.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said it is "too early to make firm predictions on tourism" but as most visitors have chosen their holidays for 2016 he was confident Cornwall will still attract plenty of visitors.

He said if the value of the pound continues to drop, people may choose choose autumn holidays in the UK "as it becomes more expensive to go abroad and cheaper to come to the UK," however if the economy took a downturn that could affect disposable income and hit tourism in 2017.

He added: "On the other hand, if consumer confidence remains reasonably stable after Brexit, and the pound stays low, it could be a good year for tourism in 2017.

"It is all about business confidence, consumer confidence, disposable income and the value of the pound. It is these factors that we will be monitoring going forward."

Rosemary Riddette-Gregory, honorary secretary of the Falmouth and District Hotels Association, said she thought most of her members would have been happier to stay in the EU, as the town receives a lot of tourists from Europe.

However the way the exchange rate is going means foreign visitors could get "more for their Euro," encouraging more business.

She said that there was also a worry among those in the trade that their trade costs could go up, in terms of buying food and supplies for their business.

She added: "There's very much two sides to the coin but the feeling is that they are pretty disappointed."

While there is some concern in the tourism industry, Roger Jenkin, deputy chair of Cornwall NFU, said he felt there would not be much change in the short term but the effects of Brexit could be good for farmers.

He said he thought it was a chance for those in agriculture to be "masters of our own destiny," and sort out regulations without Government "standing behind" the EU.

He also said he thought people would realise the importance of the food supply within the UK, and be prepared to pay "not a lot more but a little more," with fair pricing replacing subsidies for farmers.

In Falmouth, the Town Team has said it will be reassuring businesses that it will support them through the challenges of an "unknown business landscape, post-Brexit."

A spokesperson told the Packet: "Whether putting pressure on government for a rigorous review of the business rates system and town centre planning policies, or lobbying organisations with regional influence to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and inward investment, we will strive to ensure that Falmouth and its business community maintains its equilibrium and find ways to flourish in the future."