THE AWARDS CEREMONY OF THE 38TH EDITION OF THE BLUE FLAG TOOK PLACE TODAY, MAY 14, 2024, IN ROME, AT THE CNR HEADQUARTERS. THE COVERSED RECOGNITION TO THE RIVER MUNICIPALITIES AND EUROPEAN TOURIST LANDINGS THAT MEET SOME ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA. LIGURIA TOPS THE SPECIAL RANKING, AHEAD OF PUGLIA
Like every year since 1987, coastal municipalities and European tourist destinations that meet certain criteria environmental sustainabilitythe coveted ones have been assigned Blue Flags.
Out of a total of 485 beaches, 236 coastal locations have obtained recognition. At the top of the special ranking is La Liguriain front of Puglia. Among the awarded locations, 14 are new entries. Compared to 2023, ten more beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, a recognition that takes into account sustainable land management: the quality of the bathing water, the cleanliness of the coasts and the services offered.
Liguria welcomes two new locations among the Blue Flags but loses two others, thus maintaining a total of 34 flags. Puglia reaches 24 recognitions, with three new Municipalities; However, he loses one. Campania and Calabria follow with 20 Flags each, both earning one more recognition than the previous year.
The awards ceremony of the 38th edition, as regards the Italian coastal locations, took place in Rome, at the CNR headquarters, today 14 May 2024, in the presence of the mayors.
Blue Flags, international recognition
The Blue Flag, an international recognition created in 1987 during theEuropean Year of the Environmentis awarded annually in 49 countries.
Initially assigned only to European nations, it has recently been extended to non-European ones as well. This award is supported and promoted by two UN agencies: the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and theWorld Tourism Organization (UNWTO)with which the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) signed a Global Partnership Protocol. L’UNESCO recognizes FEE as a world leader in environmental education and sustainable development.
The sensitivity and awareness of citizens is growing
Claudio Mazza, president of the Fee Italia Foundation, underlined that yes, the number of Blue Flags is increasing but it is above all the growing sensitivity and awareness of citizens that deserves this recognition. Because, according to Mazza, every administration that obtains the Blue Flag understands that one virtuous management of the territory it depends on the training and involvement of individuals, schools, associations, local activities and all operators.
Adequate structural measures are still needed
However, according to the president of the Fee Italia Foundation, to make the Italian coasts more attractive from a tourist point of view, adequate structural measures aimed at improving the coastal territories in terms of sustainability and competitiveness are necessary. Particular attention must be paid to the purification sector, which still remains highly inadequate.
Le new entry 2024
The 14 new entry municipalities: Ortona (Abruzzo); Parghelia (Calabria); Cellole (Campania); Borgio Verezzi (Liguria); Recco (Liguria); Porto Sant’Elpidio (Marche); Lecce (Puglia); Manduria (Puglia); Patù (Puglia); Letojanni (Sicily); Scicli (Sicily); Taormina (Sicily); Tenno (Trentino Alto Adige); Vallelaghi (Trentino Alto Adige). There Charter of Italy with Blue Flag Municipalities 2024.
There are 4 municipalities not reconfirmed: Ameglia (Liguria); Taggia (Liguria); Margaret of Savoy (Puglia); Marciana Marina (Tuscany).