On Wednesday 25 May, the director of the Biodiversity Foundation, Ana Leiva, took part in the award ceremony of the 2011 Blue Flag to beaches and ports at the Spanish headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Ana Leiva accompanied the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai; the Secretary General of Tourism and Domestic Trade, Joan Mesquida; the Secretary General of the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, Isaura Leal; the president of ADEAC-FEE, José R. Sánchez Moro, and the head of the Department of Culture and Leisure of the ONCE Foundation, Mercé Luz Arqué.
At the event of the Association of Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), pilot projects of Blue Trails have also been recognized – awards that have had the support of the Biodiversity Foundation – and thematic distinctions have been given Blue Flag, in the field of Rescue, Lifeguard and First Aid; Environmental Information and Education; Accessibility and Care for People with Special Needs.
On this occasion, at its 2011 meeting dedicated to candidates in the northern hemisphere, the International Blue Flag Jury has awarded 3,554 Blue Flags: 2,928 for beaches and 626 for ports. The Jury includes, together with the International Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the United Nations Environment Agency (UNEP) and the United Nations Tourism Agency (UNWTO) and other entities such as the International Lifesaving Association (ILSE), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Council of Port Industry Associations (ICOMIA).
Spain, with 603 Blue Flags, 511 beach flags and 92 marina flags, remains the leader among the 36 participating countries in our hemisphere. These results consolidate the significant progress made in 2010, with a slight decrease of 10 beaches, which is offset by the increase of 8 award-winning ports.
The Biodiversity Foundation collaborates with ADEAC in the development of training actions to publicize the Blue Flag methodology and train public and private agents in its application and evaluation.
In addition, within the framework of the project, a pilot programme of Educational Coastal Trails has been launched in different parts of the Spanish coast, which aims to become a useful resource to promote the sustainable use and management of the coastal environment and its surroundings, through cooperation and dialogue between the tourism and environmental sectors. with the goal of consolidating the Blue Path quality distinction. In 2011, it is planned to support the participation of new municipalities in this programme.
The complete information, with the list of beaches, ports and distinguished projects, can be consulted in http://www.adeac.es/ and http://www.fee-international.org/en
