Blue Flags 2021
The “Blue Flag” is a worldwide quality symbol (used by more than 50 countries around the globe) with austere criteria, which is awarded to organized beaches and marinas managed by coastal Municipalities, hoteliers, other associations or even vessels/boats.
The following criteria must be met by a beach, in order to gain the “Blue Flag” quality award:
Environmental education and information
Quality of swimming waters
Environmental Management
Safety, coast guard/beach guard vessels, first aid services and facilities.
Today, 49 countries participate in this volunteering program, representing almost all continents -and not just Europe-. The international responsible operator for this program is FEE, the Foundation for Environmental Education (www.fee.global). FEE is in close collaboration with the local coordinators of its country-members, occasionally reforming the criteria for the award, which results in their stricter implementation. Its ultimate goal is to improve on the conditions that visitors experience when they visit the awarded beaches and marinas.
In Greece, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (eepf.gr) is the local representative of the “Blue Flag” program, and it is also supported by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (ypen.gov.gr), the Ministry of Tourism (mintour.gov.gr) and the Central Union of the Hellenic Municipalities (kede.gr).
In this framework, and in relation to the annual announcement of the award winners of the “Blue Flag” program, where Greece came 2nd worldwide, among the 49 participating countries with 4.040 beaches, 707 marinas and 78 tourism boats in total,
and the fact that fourteen (14) beaches and four (4) marinas in Attica were awarded with a “Blue Flag” for 2021, we cordially invite all visitors to enjoy them.
