Blue Flag Program: Greece remains 2nd in the world

With 545 award-winning beaches, 16 marinas and 6 tourist boats, Greece ranks 2nd in the world among 49 countries.

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), National Operator of the International Program “Blue Flag” in our country, announced the awards for coasts, marinas and tourist boats. With 545 award-winning beaches, 16 marinas and 6 tourist boats, Greece ranks 2nd in the world among 49 countries. It is worth noting that this year, in all 49 countries participating in the Program, Greece owned 13.5% of the total award-winning beaches. First in Greece again this year, the Regional Unit of Halkidiki, with 96 flags. The International Commission has awarded 4,040 beaches, 707 marinas and 78 tourist boats worldwide this year.

The annual announcement of the awards of the “Blue Flag” Program, was made online this year, in the presence of many representatives of the state and sectoral bodies of Tourism. The event addresses the Tourism Minister. Haris Theocharis , Deputy Minister of Marine and Island Policy, Mr. Costas Katsafados , the president of the ESO, Ms. Angela Gerekos , the president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels , Mr. Basil Alexander , president of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation , Mr. Grigoris Tassios , the general secretary of the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE), Mr. George Vernikos, the president of KEDE , Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou , the president of the Hellenic Marine Association , Mr. Stavros Katsikadis and the president of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dr. Antonios Avgerinos .

And this year, the Blue Flags will wave on the Greek coasts, rewarding the excellent water quality and the high level of services offered to bathers, and ensuring with the criteria of cleanliness and hygiene, the protection of Public Health.

EEPF emphasizes the special importance of this year’s record number of Blue Flags for Greece since it coincides with the events for the 70 years since the founding of EEPF, the oldest non-governmental organization for the protection of the natural environment in our country.