NOT ON: Miss World contestants won't be wearing bikinis this year.

The famed bikinis section of the Miss World competition has been axed to respect the cultural traditions of this year's host country.

Miss World 2013 is to be held in the Indonesian resort Island of Bali. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nations.

Women from more than 130 countries will compete for the crown, but instead of wearing bikinis in the beachwear section, the ladies will model more modest attire, including artistically place sarongs.

Deputy tourism and creative economy minister Sapta Nirwandar, reportedly told Indonesian journalists that the government had requested Miss World's organising committee respect the Indonesian rules.

Although Bali's beaches are packed with tourists in skimpy bathing wear, Miss World Organisation chair Julia Morley said the competing pageanters would not be wearing bikinis.

"I don't want to upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful," she told Agence France-Presse.

"We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant," she said.