Tourexpi
Türkiye retains 3rd place globally for Blue Flag beaches, aiming for top spot
Türkiye has retained its third-place ranking for
Blue Flag beaches this year, with 567 of its beaches listed in this category,
according to the country's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy.
In a post on X, Ersoy said the country's consistent
success in the Blue Flag awards is a source of pride and that they are
determined to achieve the top ranking.
The Blue Flag awards, a title given to beaches that
are clean and safe, are presented by the Foundation for Environmental Education
(FEE) headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ersoy said the government has consistently worked
to increase the number of Blue Flag beaches every year, with 16 more beaches in
Türkiye receiving the designation this year.
"Blue Flags suit our beaches very well. This
year, 567 beaches, 27 marinas, 18 tourism boats, and nine individual yachts in
our country have been awarded the Blue Flag," he said.
Spain holds the top spot for the most Blue Flag
beaches this year, followed by Greece in second place. Türkiye ranks third,
with Italy in fourth and France in fifth.
Antalya tops Blue Flag list
This year, Türkiye has added three beaches each in
Istanbul, Balikesir, and Aydın provinces; two each in Antalya and Mugla
provinces; and one each in Izmir, Canakkale, Tekirdag, Bursa, Kirklareli, and
Yalova provinces to its Blue Flag beaches list.
The increase of 16 Blue Flag beaches comes despite
the absence of beaches from Sakarya, Duzce, and Edirne, which were on the list
last year.
Turkey had 551 Blue Flag beaches last year, with
the number remaining unchanged in provinces such as Samsun, Mersin, Kocaeli,
Bartın, Ordu, Zonguldak, and Van.
Antalya, with 233 Blue Flag beaches, is Türkiye's
leading province, followed by Mugla with 112 beaches and Izmir with 64.
The Blue Flag program in Türkiye began in 1993
following the European Union's designation of 1987 as the Year of the
Environment. The program aims to protect public health and continue these
efforts through environmental education and awareness activities.
Blue Flag beaches are evaluated based on 33
criteria, marinas on 38, tourism boats on 51, and individual yachts on four
criteria and 16 behavior rules.
These include regular water quality analysis,
appropriate wastewater treatment, protection of sensitive natural areas,
availability of lifeguards and first aid equipment, emergency plans, facilities
for the disabled, waste separation, and environmental education and
information.
Marinas and tourism boats are also assessed based
on corporate social responsibility and public engagement.
Image
Credit: © AA
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