HONG KONG, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Visa curbs on foreigners travelling into China via Hong Kong as part of a security clampdown during the Beijing Olympics will be lifted in October, a major travel industry association said on Monday.

Hong Kong, a gateway to China for foreign businessmen given the convenience of shuttling across the border on swiftly obtained China visas, was hit by tightened rules amid increased security months before the Games began in August.

Foreigners from dozens of countries travelling to China from Hong Kong were barred from obtaining visas in Hong Kong, having to apply in their home countries instead - measures which were widely criticised by business groups as costly and cumbersome.

The issue of popular multiple and double-entry visas was also curtailed during the Games.

"Things will resume back to normal, like before the Olympics," said Paul Leung, president of the Hong Kong Inbound Travel Association, citing discussions he'd had with Chinese tourism officials. He put the date at Oct. 16.

Leung added a popular "144-hour" visa would again be issued in Hong Kong for groups of at least three foreigners into China's manufacturing heartland of Guangdong, where many businessmen run factories and offices and attend trade fairs.

"These past two months have been very quiet because a lot of visitors didn't bother coming, so now that things are opening up again it will be good for all parties concerned," Leung added.

(Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Nick Macfie)