(Sunday, May 5, 2024). Nine beaches in Colombia, the Country of Beauty, They already have the international Blue Flag seal.
This distinction recognizes the marine-coastal places on the planet that contribute positively to the environment, culture and well-being of local actors and their communities, among other aspects.
Water quality, safety, services, management, education, environmental information and “the country’s firm commitment to the sustainable management of its coastal tourist destinations” These are the reasons why the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) awarded the distinction to these Colombian beaches.
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Colombian beaches with international certification
Two beaches received the award for the first time: El Edén Beach and Palo Blanco Beach, from Tolú, Sucre.
For the second consecutive year, four more are awarded: El Morro, in Tumaco, Nariño; Golden Beach, in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca; White beach, in Santa Marta, Magdalena, and Second Ensenada Beach, in Coveñas, Sucre.
Special recognition was also granted to three beaches that have maintained the Blue Flag uninterruptedly for five years: Beautiful Horizonin Santa Marta; Blue Beach from La Boquilla, in Cartagena, and Johnny Cay Beachin San Andrés Island.
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Blue flag seal, what does it mean?
The granting of the Blue Flag seal means that the entire ecosystem of beach actors works to stimulate and improve local and foreign tourism, increase the quality of recreational opportunitiess, and facilitate monitoring, regulation, planning and decision-making actions regarding beaches.
Likewise, it implies consolidating the responsible and sustainable development of tourism in each municipality, based on a scheme associated with the bioeconomy.
Blue flag seal on Colombian beaches. / Photo: Presidency of the Republic.
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The Vice Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bravo, stated that “the Government of Change has given comprehensive support to our beaches, with great impact and attraction to tourism, since it marks a comparative and competitive difference compared to other destinations and rescues its great environmental and landscape value.
In 2023, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism invested more than 3.2 billion pesos in technical assistance, studies and support that beaches require.
By 2024, new initiatives are being developed to guarantee a flow of investments towards the beaches for 5 billion pesos.
“But we also recognize the investments, dedication, time and coordination that has been arranged locally, which shows us that together we can achieve a strengthening of our beaches,” said Vice Minister Arturo Bravo.
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