Malaysia's tourism floats amid dive site closures

The coral regeneration closures of some of Malaysia's top dive sites will not affect tourism into the country, assured Tourism Malaysia.

The Marine Park Department of Malaysia advised that nine of the 83 diving sites across the country will be closed to tourists until 31 October 2010 in an effort to relieve stress to the coral reefs.

"It is necessary to temporarily close these few affected marine parks to protect the coral reefs for a sustainable dive future for Malaysia," Tourism Malaysia Australian director Shahrin Mokhtar said in a statement to e-Travel Blackboard.

Mr Mokhtar claimed diving tourists will not be deterred by the temporary closures.

"[Tourists] will continue to be drawn to this unique world class dive destination," he said.

"Malaysia is renowned for its diverse underwater geography with its sloping reefs, coral blocks, wall dives, deep dives, drift dives and wreck dives."

The reefs attract some 500,000 tourists each year, but the relatively unregulated diving industry, along with the affects of global warming, has resulted in coral bleaching, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

In some areas, the Marine Park Department estimates 60 to 90 per cent of the coral had been damaged.