Myrtle Beach tourism officials have started an ad campaign to debunk a report started by an Internet blogger that area beaches are closed because of water quality issues.

Local media outlets report the ads assuring visitors the beaches are open were distributed Wednesday. Businesses are being asked to post the ads on social media and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce plans to run them nationally.

Following the reports on social media, the state tested water along the beach earlier this month and tests at all 44 locations found the water fine for swimming.

Chamber president Brad Dean says Internet rumors travel fast and have hurt tourism and the chamber had to respond.

Myrtle Beach is the heart of South Carolina's $19 billion tourism industry.

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