Tourists arriving in the UK:

October: 554,000 September: 787,000 Down 30% Source: Office for National Statistics, seasonally adjusted.

A sharp fall in visitor numbers from overseas was accompanied by a growing taste for foreign holidays by the British people.

In October 2001, the number of arrivals for holiday visits was a seasonally adjusted 554,000 - 30% lower than in the previous month and 31% down year on year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The foot-and-mouth crisis kept many visitors away during spring and summer, terrorism fears kept many away after 11 September, and the weakness of the global economy has kept people away throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the low-cost airlines' campaigns to attract passengers despite widespread security concerns boosted foreign trips by the British people.

UK residents' visits abroad increased by 1% during the August to October period, according to ONS.

Government upbeat

The figures are the latest piece of dire news out of the British tourist industry, which has been hit by a combination of safety scares and the global economic slowdown.

Blackpool's crowds are staying away

But the government insisted that the long-tem prospects for the industry remained strong, saying it was doing all in its power to help ailing businesses in the sector.

"We know that recent world events have deterred many from taking holidays abroad and some British tourism businesses have been hit," Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said.

"But the picture is mixed. In some parts of Britain businesses are recording good trade and there are very encouraging signs for next year."

Spending less

The British Tourist Authority (BTA) is investing �5m in an international marketing campaign this winter to help the beleaguered industry get back on its feet.

The BTA estimates that the combined effects of foot-and-mouth disease and terrorist attacks will cost the industry about �2.5bn this year.

The campaign will focus on four core strengths - countryside, cities, heritage and sport - and is hoping for a boost from the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Last year, 25.2 million visitors came to the UK and spent �12.8bn.

But that figures could be as low as �10.8bn this year, bad news for shops and attractions around the country.

Staying away

American tourists are the largest single group of visitors to the UK but there were mass cancellations by US tour operators after 11 September.

In October, 103,000 North American tourists arrived in the UK, down from 169,000 in October 2000.

European tourists also cut back on their travel to the UK.

In October this year, 272,000 visitors arrived from Western Europe, down from 374,000 in October last year.

Tourist from other parts of the world fell from 177,000 visitors in October 2000 to 112,000 visitors in October this year.

Overall, the number of tourists arriving in the UK fell from 720,000 to 486,000 between October 2000 and October 2001, the non-seasonally adjusted figures revealed.