Beaches in some of Spain‘s most popular coastal destinations have been stripped of their blue Flag status, including beaches in Alicante, Marbella, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands. While eight Spanish beaches have been awarded Blue Flags this year, a whopping 30 beaches have been stripped of the title.
Beaches are awarded Blue Flags based on a number of factors including excellent water quality, compliance with Coastal Law and essential services such as lifeguards and toilets.
Local news outlet The Olive Press reports that three beaches in Andalucia lost the title, four in the Balearic Islands, three in the Canary Islands, one in Cantabria, seven in Catalonia, six in the Valencian Community, four in Galicia, and two in Murcia.
Among the beaches were popular hotspots including Marbella’s Adelfas Alicate, Cadiz’s Tres Piedras and La Ballena in Chipiona. In Alicante, five beaches lost the premium status including These include Finestrat in La Cala, L’Alfas de Pi in Raco de L’Abir, Orihuela in Casa Estaca, Santa Pola in Llevant, and Teulada in La Ampolla.
Majorca also lost four Blue Flags from its beaches. These include Cala Ferrera in Felanitx, Can Picafort in Santa Margalida, Cala Llombards in Santanyi and Es Port in Ses Sailnes.
Despite the losses, however, Spain remains to be one of the Blue Flag leaders of the world given how many of its beaches have been awarded the status.
In Alicante, three new beaches were awarded Blue Flags – Dels Torres in Vila Joiosa – Alicante, Pobla Marina in Pobla de Fornals -Valencia and Rabdels in Oliva – Valencia.
Out of 694 applications for Blue Flag status, an impressive 638 beaches were successful. This represents an impressive 91 percent approval rate from the Blue Flag initiative.
In order to maintain their status, the beaches must ensure they continue to meet all criteria.
Beaches who want to be approved for Blue Flag status must also not allow dogs, unless they are assistance dogs, on the beach. Beaches can designate a “Blue Flag area” and have a separate area where dogs are permitted.
For many beaches, this means restricting dogs during peak seasons.
Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez Grau, said: “We have been the country with the most blue flags in the world for three uninterrupted decades and will continue to do so this year. 15 percent of the blue flag beaches in the world are in Spain.
“This is a collective success because it is only possible thanks to the work of all administrations. We are a world tourism power and we must also be so in sustainability.”
