Seventeen beaches across Greece had to removed the “Blue Flag” after inspectors found out that they do not meet the strict criteria for the quality award for 2019. The Blue Flags were not only removed from the beaches but also from national and international lists.
In a statement issued by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), the Greek partner of the international Blue Flags program, the removal does not have to do with the water quality but with the services provided.
“The water quality remains excellent,” the HSPN said in a statement, adding that service deficiencies were found out after Members of the Society and international evaluators made unannounced visits to the beach sites.
The “serious shortcomings in the strict compliance with the criteria are specifically related to: providing services to swimmers and visitors, cleanliness, proper information, safety for swimmers and visitors and actions for the environmental protection of the beaches and the coastal area.< the statement stressed.
“The members of the National Crisis Committee and the Program Steering Committee decided to withdraw the awards as intended to safeguard the institution’s credibility,” the HSPN statement added.
The 17 Beaches from which the Blue Flags are withdrawn are:
Batsi Coast, Andros Municipality, PA Andros
Kakia Lagada Coast, Municipality of Kythira, Attica
Alykii Coast, Municipality of Aigialia, PA Achaia
Digeliotika Coast, Municipality of Aigialia, PA Achaia
Niforeika Coast, West Achaia Municipality, PA Achaia
Tigania Coast, West Achaia Municipality, PA Achaia
Perigiali Coast, Kavala Municipality, PA Kavala
Ammoglossa-Keramoti Coast 1, Municipality of Nestos, PA Kavala
Bouka-Paliostafida Coast, Municipality of Kefalonia, PA, Kefalonia
Gythio Beach 2 / Selinitsa, Municipality of East Mani, P.E. Laconia
Mavrovouni Coast 2, Municipality of East Mani, PA Laconia
Akti Neoi Poroi, Municipality of Dios-Olympus, PA Pieria
Panteleimonas Beach 1, Dion-Olympus Municipality, PA Pieria
Monolithi Coast, Preveza Municipality, Preveza Prefecture
Platania Coast, Preveza Municipality, Preveza Prefecture
Tsoukes Coast, Preveza Municipality, Preveza Prefecture
Coast of Le / My Pefkos, Municipality of Rhodes, PA Rhodes
Greece has ranked second among 47 countries in the Blue Flags program for 2019. The country won this year’s international quality award with 515 beaches, 15 marinas and four sustainable tourism boats.
what a shame 🙁 Instead of aim to add more beacheas to the list, 17 were removed 🙁
It’s not really anything to do with the beaches. Greece doesn’t need all the ancillary crap that you find on Spanish beaches. Let Greece and Greek beaches stay their beautiful natural selves
Sad to say Chris, Beaches on Kos that were once just sand a few years ago, are being swallowed under a forest of Parasols jet skis and paragliders.