Greece Ranks Second in Blue Flags Among 52 Countries

Greece has secured the second position globally in the prestigious Blue Flag awards, with 652 sites recognised among 52 countries. This year, Greece's award-winning beaches exceeded 600, reflecting a consistent upward trend. The country now holds 15% of the internationally awarded beaches.

Halkidiki leads within Greece with 104 Blue Flags, while Crete tops the regions with 146 flags. Globally, the International Committee awarded 4,252 beaches, 733 marinas, and 141 tourist boats. The annual announcement of Greece’s Blue Flag sites took place today at Anastasia Beach in Kalamata.

Nikos Petrou, president of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and vice president of the Foundation for Environmental Education, emphasised Greece's achievements. He noted that "thanks to the efforts of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HESP), it is remarkable that Greece holds 15% of the international award-winning coasts, with a steady upward trend of award-winning coasts every year."

Petrou highlighted the challenges facing Greek coasts, including pollution, climate change, overfishing, and local threats such as resource overexploitation and unsustainable tourism. He praised the Blue Flag as a crucial tool for sustainable coastal management and tourism.

The Blue Flag program continuously develops its criteria to stay relevant with new environmental and tourism developments. Since 1951, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature has worked to protect Greek nature and promote sustainable tourism through the Blue Flag initiative.

(Source: Amna)