Divers reunite for Sabah scuba diving trip after pandemic

Chinese and Malaysian divers have reunited for a scuba diving trip to Mabul Island off the southeastern coast of Borneo in Malaysia, three years after the pandemic. The event saw about 60 Chinese and 20 Malaysian divers joining a six-day dive trip at Mabul Island, organised by several diving associations and tourism bodies.

The Enthusiast Scuba Diving Association Guangzhou China, One Diving Services Guangzhou China, and Guizhou Dive Diving Club China were among the event’s co-organisers. Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia supported the dive trip. AirAsia flew the Chinese divers from Guangzhou to Kota Kinabalu on a reinstated route on 2 March.

“Now flights from China have resumed, the dive trip illustrates we are rebuilding tourism to Sabah. This dive group is a testimony of that,” said Sabah Tourism Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew in a statement on Sunday.

With China’s outbound tourism market reopening and the resumption of international flights, there will be a surge in diving trips to Semporna and Sabah.

Semporna is a world-class diving and tourism hotspot located on the east coast of Sabah. It is well-known as one of the top 10 diving sites in the world. Sipadan Island, the only oceanic island in Malaysia, is a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts. It takes only 15 minutes to transfer by boat from Sipadan Island to Borneo Diving Resort on Mabul Island. The resort features 113 luxury villas and comprehensive facilities, targeting elite divers and up-market guests.

The dive trip to Mabul Island is a significant milestone in Sabah’s tourism industry reopening. It demonstrates the growing interest among Chinese divers in exploring Sabah’s underwater treasures. The trip also boosts the local economy, as tourism is a vital source of income for Sabah.

“With the support of Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia, we hope to see more Chinese divers returning to Sabah in the future,” said the event’s co-organisers.

The pandemic has significantly impacted the global tourism industry, but the reopening of international borders and the resumption of travel has provided a glimmer of hope for the industry’s recovery. The dive trip to Mabul Island shows my growing interest in scuba diving and exploring the world’s underwater treasures. With its stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, and world-class diving sites, Sabah is well-positioned to attract diving enthusiasts worldwide. The dive trip is a testament to the resilience and determination of the tourism industry to recover from the pandemic’s impact.

The reunion of Chinese and Malaysian divers in Sabah’s Mabul Island is an encouraging sign for the revival of the tourism industry in the region. The dive trip is a testament to the growing interest among Chinese divers in exploring Sabah’s underwater treasures.

With the support of the Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia, the event boosts the local economy and demonstrates the tourism industry’s resilience to recover from the pandemic. Sabah’s world-class diving sites and stunning marine life are expected to attract more diving enthusiasts worldwide, offering hope for the industry’s recovery.