The councilor defends that the new Law of the Valencian Coast will help “to maintain and increase the number of recognitions for our beaches”
The Minister of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory, Salomé Pradas, has highlighted that the leadership of the Valencian Community in blue flags - which this year has garnered 159 flags - proves “that it is possible to combine environmental protection and economic development.” .
In the opinion of the councilor, who presided over the ceremony of handing over the flags on the Carregador beach in Alcalà de Xivert, “it cannot be forgotten” that the awards granted by the Environmental and Consumer Education Association (ADEAC), “ They recognize the extraordinary quality of our waters and our sandy beaches, but also the services offered there, as well as their sustainability and environmental respect.”
Pradas has explained that the Valencian Community has revalidated its leadership this year by obtaining “two out of every ten blue flags in all of Spain” and that each of them “reinforces the reputation of the Valencian Community as a top-level tourist destination and guarantees that “Its beaches will continue to be a natural treasure and an economic engine.”
Furthermore, the councilor defended that “in a world increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, the blue flags are a testimony of our effort, dedication and commitment to preserve and improve our coastal heritage.”
“Tourists are increasingly demanding and better informed, which is why they are looking for destinations that not only offer natural beauty, but also security, quality services, good communications and, without a doubt, a serious commitment to the environment and sustainability.” ”, added Salomé Pradas.
The ADEAC has awarded the Valencian Community 159 blue flags, which represents six new distinctions compared to last year. The three new awards achieved are in Pobla Marina (in Pobla de Farnals), Rabdells de Oliva beach and Torres de la Vila Joiosa beach. The Marina Salinas de Torrevieja and the beaches of Torrenostra (Torreblanca), L'Arbre del Gos (València), Les Deveses (Dénia), Levante and Malpas (Benidorm) and La Ermita (Santa Pola) have also recovered the award.
Of the 159 blue flags, 138 correspond to beaches, 19 to ports and, for the first time, two to Mundo Marino tourist boats with moorings in València and Dénia. Of the total, 87 correspond to the province of Alicante, 39 to Valencia and 33 to Castellón. Six municipalities and their corresponding beaches continue, without interruption, with a blue flag since the beginning of the program in 1987. Thus, for 38 consecutive years, Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador beach), Alicante (Sant Joan beach), Calpe (La Fossa beach ), Campello (Carrer la Mar beach), Cullera (Sant Antoni beach) and Gandía (Nord beach) have not stopped having this distinction. Also, the award has been revalidated by Playa-Monte de Navarrés, the only one with continental bathing waters for meeting the criteria of safety, services, accessibility and special attention to the preservation of the environment.
The ADEAC has also recognized 88 “blue centers” for different environmental interpretation and education facilities that contribute to valuing local ecosystems, as well as raising awareness among the population about sustainability. In this regard, Pradas has highlighted that, of them, "25 belong to the Valencian Community, of which 15 are in the province of Alicante, 2 in Castellón and 8 in Valencia."
For the Minister of the Environment, “maintaining and increasing, each year, the number of blue flags in the Valencian Community presents challenges that require continuous attention and innovative solutions.” For this reason, she has called on all administrations, the tourism sector and civil society to “continue working together to maintain the levels of quality and excellence that have characterized our waters and sands for more than three decades.
“Hence, the future Law for the Protection and Planning of the Valencian Coast makes all the sense in the world, which, based on consensus and participation, will allow the Generalitat to deploy its powers to the maximum to make uses and activities compatible in accordance with its own needs. and the characteristics of our land”, concluded Salomé Pradas.