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Two beach resorts in the United States have become involved in a dispute over underhand advertising tactics, according to reports.

Tourism officials in Virginia Beach have accused their counterparts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina of trying to discourage tourists from visiting the former location, the Associated Press reports.

An advertising initiative launched by Myrtle Beach promoters was reportedly designed to inform Google users looking for information on Virginia Beach that the South Carolina resort was a better option.

Jim Ricketts, director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that the strategy broke the unwritten rule that tourist offices do not directly attack each other.

In a letter to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ricketts said: 'This is unethical, unfair and frankly beneath the dignity of a major resort like Myrtle Beach.'

Virginia Beach officials demanded that the mischievous advert be taken down.

According to the Associated Press, representatives from Myrtle Beach declined to comment on the issue.

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