SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE/MADRID, 7th May (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands will maintain its 60 ‘Blue Flags’ this summer, with 56 beaches and four marinas. This total contributes to Spain’s 729 ‘Blue Flags’ (638 beaches, 102 marinas, and seven tourist boats) that will be proudly displayed from June onwards. This is an increase of 18 flags from the previous year, with the Valencian Community leading the way with the most ‘Blue Flag’ beaches.
Fuerteventura boasts eleven Blue Flag beaches, Gran Canaria has fourteen, Lanzarote has six, La Gomera has one, El Hierro has two, La Palma has six, and Tenerife has sixteen. A notable addition this year is Navarra, with its first ‘Blue Flag’ awarded to Bahía de Lerate beach in Guesalez. There are still four autonomous communities in Spain without any ‘Blue Flag’ distinction: Castilla La Mancha, Castilla y León, Aragón, and La Rioja.
Spain’s beaches have achieved 11 more ‘Blue Flags’ this year compared to last year, continuing to maintain its world-leading position since 1994. Spain currently holds 15% of the total ‘Blue Flag’ awards globally, followed by Greece and Turkey. This year, eight new beaches in Spain have received this prestigious distinction, with 33 beaches reclaiming their ‘Blue Flags’.
In terms of marinas, Spain ranks third behind the Netherlands and France, with an increase of five marinas awarded. All 102 marinas that participated this year in Spain have been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’, with seven regaining the award and one receiving it for the first time.
The Valencian Community remains at the forefront with 159 ‘Blue Flags’, followed by Andalusia with 156 flags, Galicia with 125, and Catalonia with 118. The rest of the communities are as follows: Canary Islands (60), Balearic Islands (42), Murcia (34), Asturias (17), Cantabria (10), Extremadura (11), Basque Country (4), Melilla (4), Ceuta (2), and Madrid (1).
Moreover, seven municipalities have maintained their ‘Blue Flag’ status since the program’s inception in 1987, totalling 38 consecutive years of recognition. These municipalities are Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador beach), Alicante (Sant Joan beach), Calpe (La Fossa beach), Campello (Carrer la Mar beach), Cullera (Sant Antoni beach), Gandía (Nord beach), and Oleiros (Bastiagueiro beach).
This year, 88 interpretation centres have been designated as Blue Centers across various regions in Spain, recognising their commitment to environmental education and care.
In her first official role as Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez highlighted the importance of the ‘Blue Flags’ in promoting sustainable tourism and coastal protection. She stated, “The Blue Flags on our beaches and ports are not only an incentive but also a source of pride for all citizens who value and protect our coastline, contributing to the recognition and prestige of their communities.”
SPECIAL ACCOLADES
The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (ADEAC) also awards ‘Special Mentions’ to municipalities that excel in environmental education, lifeguard services, accessibility for people with disabilities, and overall beach care.
Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), Torrevieja (Alicante), and Xilxes (Castellón) received the ‘Special Mention for Accessibility and care for people with disabilities’. San Fernado (Cádiz), Málaga (Málaga), and Teulada (Alicante) were recognised with the ‘Special Mention for Lifesaving Services’. Finally, Alcudia (Balearic Islands), Castro-Urdiales (Cantabria), and Roquetas de Mar (Almería) were awarded the ‘Special Mention for Environmental Education’.
