Colombia celebrates an important achievement in environmental and tourism matters with the incorporation of two new beaches to the distinguished group that holds the international seal Blue Flag (Blue Flag), raising to nine the total number of beaches in the country recognized by distinctive.
This seal is a global symbol of commitment to the environment, local culture and the well-being of communities in marine-coastal areas.
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The recently awarded El Edén Beach and Palo Blanco Beach, located in the department of Sucre, in Santiago de Tolú, are distinguished by the implementation of standards and good environmental practices that guarantee the sustainability and quality of coastal tourist destinations.
These beaches join four others, which for the second consecutive year have revalidated their Blue Flag status. Among them are: El Morro beach in Tumaco; Golden Beach in Buenaventura; Blanca beach in Santa Marta and Segunda Ensenada beach in Coveñas.
Likewise, three Colombian beaches that have maintained the Blue Flag for five consecutive years are especially recognized: Bello Horizonte in Santa Marta, Azul de la Boquilla beach in Cartagena and Johnny Cay beach in San Andrés. This achievement is awarded for compliance with the standards required by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an entity that delivers the distinction annually after evaluating aspects such as water quality, safety, services, management and environmental education.
The administration of these beaches is in collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the mayors of the coastal municipalities and the Colombian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (Acodal), which works as the official operator of the program. Blue Flag in Colombia, representing the FEE.
“The Government has provided the necessary support for the comprehensive management of our beaches, since it generates a great impact and attraction for tourism, since it marks a comparative and competitive difference compared to other destinations and rescues its great environmental and landscape value,” highlighted the Vice Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bravo.
During 2023, the Commerce portfolio allocated resources exceeding 3.2 billion pesos to provide technical assistance, carry out studies and offer the necessary support to Colombian beaches. It is anticipated that by 2024, the ministry is planning initiatives that promise to raise investments in coastal areas to figures close to 5 billion.
The Vice Minister of Tourism highlighted the crucial role of local contributions in terms of investment, dedication, time and coordinated efforts, emphasizing that collaboration between different levels demonstrates the joint capacity to enhance the value of national beaches.
Furthermore, he pointed out the importance of effective integration and empowerment of local communities and the various actors involved in beach management. These groups, he emphasized, will be the main beneficiaries of the recognitions Blue Flagreinforcing the idea that “the sustainable development of beaches directly boosts the well-being of those who live and work in these environments.”
For his part, Andrés Chaves Solano, project director of Acodal, highlighted the importance of this award for the territorial entities and beachfront hotels in the country: “for us it has been a long process to be able to bring this award to the territorial entities and hotels with beachfront in the country, and to be able to guarantee that they glimpse the value of the ecolabel,” he indicated.
Furthermore, Chaves Solano indicated that They have the objective of strengthening the promotion and dissemination process of the program to educate more people on this topic of environmental management on beaches. “We hope that Colombia continues to grow in this important international certificate and thus be able to be on par with the best destinations in the world for sun and beach tourism,” concluded the director.
