TRAVEL SPAIN

511 Blue Flags have been awarded to Spains beaches for 2011, which means once again Spain has the highest number of blue flag beaches in the world. This is great news for the tourism industry and foreign visitors, around 85% choose coastal areas.

The Blue flags where awarded to beaches located all around Spains long coastline and where distributed around the autonomous regions as follows:
Galicia : 130
Valencia : 116
Catalonia: 108
Balearic Islands: 85
Andalucia: 81
Canary Islands: 39
Asturias: 17
Murcia : 12
The Basque Country: 3
Ceuta: 2
Melilla: 1

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco label awarded to thousands of beaches and marinas in 41 countries across Europe and around the world. It is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. The program also includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators. Galicia in the to Marbella in the south, Spain really can boast it has some of the most beautiful and best beaches in Spain.

520 Blue Flags have been awarded to Spains beaches for 2010, thats 28 new beaches from the previous year giving Spain the highest number of blue flag beaches in the world.

Spain has been awarded a total of 527 Blue Flags, 455 are for beaches and 72 for Marinas in 2008 and still has some of the best beaches in Spain.

According to the information released by ( Adeac - The association of Environmental Education for the Consumer ) this slight decline in blue flags is due to the new stricter controls which came into force recently and relates to water quality , the drought and heavy summer rainfalls of 2007 also left its affect on some areas.

According to Jose R.Sanchez of Adeac, the torrential downpours carried materials down from urban areas, dry river beds which has affected swimming water quality.

61 beaches in total lost there Blue Flag status, 22 in Galicia, 15 in Andalucia, 7 from Valencia, 6 in the Pais Vasco, 4 each from Cantabriaand Asturias and 3 in the Canaries.

The famous Poniente beach in Benidorm lost its blue flag status this year his year because of the extensive work being carried out on the � paseo maritime� sea front.

The most beaches with this prestigious award for 288 are located in Catalonia with 112, followed by
Galicia with an impressive 105, Valencia with 100, the Balearic Islands with 84, Andalucia now has a total of 59, 27 in the Canaries and Murcia with 23.

Spain continues to be the world leader with its Blue Flag beaches and Marinas and shows its continuing dedication in helping to insure the quality of its tourism installations remain an important priority for all the governments, local councils and tourism board alike.