The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism reported that Colombia already has nine beaches with the international Blue Flag seal. which recognizes the marine-coastal places in the world that contribute positively to the environment, culture and well-being of local actors, among other aspects.
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The country celebrated the recognition with a new award of two beaches in the department of Sucre: Playa El Edén and Playa Palo Blanco, in Santiago de Tolú.
These join four others that, for the second consecutive year, have achieved the Blue Flag. These are: El Morro Beach in Tumaco; Golden Beach in Buenaventura; Playa Blanca in Santa Marta and Playa Segunda Ensenada in Coveñas.
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On the other hand, special recognition was granted to three beaches that have maintained the Blue Flag uninterruptedly for five consecutive years: Bello Horizonte, under the concession of the Zuana Hotel in Santa Marta; Playa Azul de la Boquilla in Cartagena and Johnny Cay Beach in San Andrés.
This distinction, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and renewed annually, analyzes criteria such as water quality, safety, services, management, education and environmental information, and highlights the country’s firm commitment to the sustainable management of its coastal tourist destinations.
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“The Government has given 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.“said the Vice Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bravo.
For his part, the project director of Acodal, Andrés Chaves Solano, said that “For us, it has been a long process to be able to bring this award to the territorial entities and beachfront hotels in the country.”.
