By Olivia Miwil - May 11, 2022 @ 10:30am
KOTA BELUD: As the country moves towards an endemic phase, tourism players are hoping to lure more domestic tourists to the idyllic Mantanani island.
Located about 40 minutes from the mainland, the island is often said to have the picturesque view of the Maldives.
"Although Mantanani is well-known among the active diving community, surprisingly, very few locals are familiar with Mantanani.
"Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the island was mostly visited by tourists from China and Korea.
"For now we are tapping tourists from peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Brunei, Singapore, and those in the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
"We are also building a reputation now before more foreigners return to Sabah," said Divercity dive centre operations manager Bonny Wong who set up a dive centre with his partner Dean Lee early this year.
According to the 2021 Reef Check Malaysia annual survey report, the island also boasts some of the better coral reef health, with nearly 40 per cent of the island being dominated by mostly hard corals.
To date, there are 16 diving sites around the island that can be dived all-year-round especially between March and May.
The island used to have almost 20 operators but is now only left with about five including Sutera@Mantanani Island Resort & Spa where Wong and Lee are operating.
Lee added Mantanani used to have fish bombing activities but nowadays the locals have more awareness on the importance of sustainable tourism for incomes.
"Many of them are now involved in restoration related activities organised by the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations."
In terms of divers' safety, Lee hoped that divers would put their lives first by using licensed dive centres with certified guides or divemasters, offering insurance coverage.
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