The global economic crisis has been blamed for a drop in the number of overseas visitors travelling to Australia.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today reported 2.8 per cent fewer overseas travellers arrived in September, compared with the same month last year.

There was also a slight fall in arrivals in September this year, compared with August, down 0.8 per cent to 456,400.

The highest increase in visitor numbers came from Indonesia, up 18.5 per cent in September, compared with the same month last year.

But the number of Japanese visitors fell 19.3 per cent in September, compared with last year’s September data.

Despite the financial crisis and a weakened Australian dollar, Australian travellers continue to head overseas, with five per cent more taking trips in September compared with the same month last year.

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) executive director Olivia Wirth said as the turmoil on financial markets spread to the real economy, global activity would be affected.

“The global financial and economic crisis is the dominant issue facing the tourism industry,” Wirth said.

“Tight household budgets and concern about the economic situation across the world mean spending on travel is likely to be cut.”

But she said China and India could provide a counter-balance in the short to medium term.