Spain dominates global Blue Flag accreditations for 33 years in a row

AFTER MORE THAN three decades it´s almost not news at this point, but Spain has been officially declared the country with the most Blue Flag beaches on Earth for the 33rd year in a row.

The coveted Blue Flag accolades are awarded to beaches and tourist venues throughout the world that meet or exceed the very highest standards of water quality, health and safety, lifeguard provision, appropriate signage, facilities, and equal access for all.

For summer 2020, there are currently 4,500 Blue Flag awarded beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats throughout 47 countries dotted around the world, with Spain´s eastern and southern Mediterranean coastlines a seemingly unbroken ribbon of Blue Flags.

This year´s 2020 results saw Greece coming in second place again with 497 Blue Flag beaches, Turkey in third with 486 beaches, Italy up one place in the global rankings at fourth position with 407 beautiful beaches, and France down one place in fifth position boasting 402 beaches.

But neither the French nor Italian Riviera´s can hold a candle to the impressive 590 accredited beaches throughout Spain, in addition to 94 marinas certified as worthy of inclusion on the world´s most prestigious list of certified quality destinations.

Summer 2020, the importance of public health security on the beaches

In Spain, the Blue Flag awards are granted by the Environmental Education and Consumers Association (ADEAC), and the country garnered a total of 689 accreditations for the 2020 summer season - 19 more than last year.

The results were announced earlier this week at a presentation event on Tuesday attended by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, who assured that the Spanish coastline maintains high quality standards which further strengthens the image of Spain as a leading tourist destination.

"Public health security for summer 2020 is going to be essential. This year it will not be enough that our beaches have easy and safe access or that there are first aid teams and lifeguards. This year we have to offer extraordinary levels of security to residents and visiting tourists", Isabel Oliver explained.

"Our wish is that this season we can all enjoy the enormous variety of sun and beach that our country offers and do it in conditions of maximum security and well-being."

Spain has dominated the rankings since the inception of the Blue Flag concept in 1987, not once failing to secure a healthy gold podium position despite having a total coastal length somewhat shorter than many of its European rivals.

Alicante Province, more Blue Flag beaches than any other part of Spain

This year, the Valencian Community received 134 Blue Flags, once again marking our home region as the locality with the highest number of recognised quality beaches. Galicia follows with 107, Andalusia has 101, and Catalonia received a total of 95 accolades.

Locally, neighbouring Murcia collected 26 awards for their beaches and the Alicante Province picked up 86 coveted Blue Flags, more than any other provincial area nationwide.

Torrevieja scored 7 Blue Flags for Los Náufragos, Cala Piteras, Playa del Cura, Los Locos, and Cabo Cervera beaches, plus two coveted awards for the Puerto Deportivo Marina Internacional and Real Club Náutico de Torrevieja ports.

All Orihuela Costa beaches retained their Blue Flag status, with Orihuela´s Department of Beaches proudly taking to Facebook to announce the achievement on Tuesday evening, "11 beaches, 11 Blue Flags!"

Orihuela Town Hall has been working exceptionally hard to repair the damage caused by the recent storms, and the Blue Flags stand as a testament to their effort and determination.