Portugal has 432 Blue Flag beaches, marinas and boats this year, one more than in 2022, despite a decrease in river beaches due to drought and fires, the Blue Flag Association of Europe announced Thursday.
The announcement was made at the Vasco da Gama Aquarium, in Dafundo, in the municipality of Oeiras, by the president of the European Blue Flag Association, José Archer, adding that in the next bathing season 394 beaches will hoist the Blue Flagspread over 103 municipalities, with Coruche and Montemor-o-Velho requesting beaches for the first time.
“Portugal, when it comes to inland beaches, it is the second country in the world with the highest number of award-winning beaches. We are just behind France, which has a different reality and dimension, and well above Spain,” said José Archer, referring to the fact that they were granted 47 river beachesthree less than last year.
The official acknowledged that this is a “reflection of the efforts of the communities and municipalities of the interior” regarding the commitment to the Blue Flag.
José Archer also recalled that this year there were fewer award-winning inland beaches considering the drought and fires it happened in 2022.
“Last year we had a very difficult summer inland, which affected some reapplications, but even so we continue to grow only on beaches, bathing areas, we are already close to 400,” he said, recalling that ten years ago this number was around of 200 .
asked about the municipality of Sintra does not have any A Blue Flag beach, taking into account its maritime extension, José Archer has said that it is “a decision of the mayors themselves” regarding the candidacy for the award.
Regarding the advantages of visiting a distinguished beach, the person in charge recalled the four essential points to obtain the award: quality of the water and space (organization), security and services, surveillance and awareness of people (environmental education).
Internationally, Portugal ranks second in terms of awarded ecotourism vessels, with 21, having also been awarded 17 marinas.
The official ceremony to see the first Blue Flag on the coastal beach will take place at Praia do Mar, in Caldas da Rainha, on June 1st, while the first Blue Flag show on the river beach will be held in Reconquinho, Penacova, on the 15th of June. The flag will also be hoisted in Marina de Troia, in the municipality of Grândola, on June 5.
The outstanding coastal and river beaches are distributed in the North (87, five more than last year), Center (47, less three), Tejo (76, less one), Alentejo (39, less one), Algarve (85, minus one), Azores (44, plus two) and Madeira (16, the same as last year).
The Blue Flag Program is an education program for sustainable development, promoted in Portugal by the Blue Flag Association of Europe, the Portuguese section of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
See the list here.
Source: Observadora
