Turkey continues to increase the number of beaches with the Blue Flag certification and has once again become the third country in the world participating in the Blue Flag program. Within our country, Antalya ranks first with 231 beaches, 5 marinas, and 14 yachts. In Alanya, the seasonal inspections have begun for 74 facilities, beaches, 7 public beaches, 3 tourist boats, and 1 marina that were awarded the Blue Flag for 2022.
Seven public beaches in Alanya, including Damlataş Halk Plajı, Engelsiz Yaşam Alanı Halk Plajı, Kleopatra Doğu Halk Plajı, Kleopatra Batı Halk Plajı, Keykubat Batı Halk Plajı, Keykubat Doğu Halk Plajı, and the public beach in front of the Youth Center, which hold the Blue Flag certification, were inspected as part of the collaborative efforts between Alanya Municipality and the Alanya Association of Tourism Operators (ALTİD).
WHAT IS THE BLUE FLAG?
The Blue Flag is an international environmental award and certification program. This program assesses the suitability of beaches, marinas, and yacht harbors based on various criteria, including environmental management, water quality, safety, and service quality.
The Blue Flag program was launched in 1987 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Its purpose is to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable tourism, and emphasize the attractiveness and quality of regions that have been awarded the Blue Flag.
A beach, marina, or yacht harbor must meet certain criteria to be awarded the Blue Flag. These criteria include water quality, environmental management, safety measures, cleanliness, education, and information. An annual reassessment is conducted, and those who win the Blue Flag award fly the flags throughout the season.
The Blue Flag serves as a guide for tourists when choosing a reliable and environmentally friendly holiday destination. It also encourages local communities and businesses to adopt environmentally conscious practices and promotes sustainable tourism initiatives.