The worldwide Blue Flag programme has awarded the Mediterranean island 56 Blue Flags for 2026.
The worldwide Blue Flag programme has awarded Cyprus 56 Blue Flags for 2026 (Picture: Getty)
The Mediterranean’s third-largest island, well-known for its 400 miles of shoreline, over 300 days of sunshine and a plethora of Blue Flag seashores, has had far fewer seashores awarded the internationally recognised certification than final yr. The worldwide Blue Flag programme has awarded Cyprus 56 Blue Flags for 2026, down from 64 seashores in 2025.
In response to the president of the nationwide Blue Flag organisation and basic secretary of the Cyprus Marine Setting Safety Affiliation (Cymepa), Michalis Ierides, the decline was because of municipalities in Amathus and Limassol deciding to not submit purposes following a number of reviews of air pollution throughout final summer time’s bathing season. Managed by the Basis for Environmental Schooling (FEE), it assures guests {that a} location is secure, clear and dedicated to strict environmental requirements.
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Most of this yr’s websites had been awarded to the municipality of Paralimni–Deryneia (Picture: Getty)
To qualify, seashores, marinas and tourism operators should meet strict standards, together with accessibility and should show glorious water high quality and supply clear amenities, together with recycling and waste bins, certified lifeguards, emergency plans and accessible environmental and water-quality info.
“Central to the beliefs of the Blue Flag programme is the goal of connecting the general public with their environment and inspiring them to study extra about their atmosphere,” the organisation writes on its web site.
Along with the 56 Blue Flag seashores, two marinas additionally acquired certification. Most of this yr’s websites had been awarded to the municipality of Paralimni–Deryneia, in southeast Cyprus, which acquired 18 flags, adopted by Ayia Napa with 16, Amathus with 9, Paphos with six seashores, Hierokipia with three, Larnaca with three and Akamas with two.
Neighborhood councils in Oroklini, Zygi, Pentakomo, Parekklisia, Episkopi, Pissouri and Lemba, together with the marinas of Limassol and Ayia Napa, acquired one Blue Flag every, CyprusMail reported.
Globally, a staggering 5,274 websites spanning 53 international locations had been recognised within the 2026 awards. Spain stays the worldwide chief, securing over 700 awards, adopted intently by nations like Greece, Italy and France.
Throughout England, 63 websites (61 seashores and two marinas) met the stringent requirements for the award. Locations comparable to Bournemouth, West Wittering, and Westward Ho! have continued their historic streaks, whereas areas just like the Southwest boast among the highest award counts within the nation. In whole, there are 188 Blue Flag awards within the British Isles, together with 95 in Eire.
This comes after it was revealed that one of many UK’s most celebrated seashores was denied the award over issues about its water high quality. Tenby’s North Seaside was absent from a listing of Welsh seashores awarded the accolade, which included the Pembrokeshire city’s South Seaside and Citadel Seaside.
Preserve Wales Tidy confirmed that Tenby’s much-loved North Seaside didn’t apply for, and was due to this fact not awarded, a Blue Flag Award within the 2026 Wales Coast Awards. This follows a decline in water high quality from ‘glorious’ to ‘good’.
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