Liguria has Italy's 'cleanest' beaches, says survey
(ANSA) - Rome, May 10 - Liguria, the northwest coastal region that once inspired writers from Byron to D.H.
Lawrence, has the cleanest beaches in Italy, according to an environmental body.
Blue Flag, which works with the United Nations' Environment Programme, has analysed more than 3,000 beaches and marinas in 41 countries from Europe to South Africa, New Zealand and the Caribbean. In its 2010 review of 233 Italian beaches, Blue Flag found 17 beaches in Liguria deserved its Blue Flag designation for high quality, cleanliness and respect for the environment. Liguria has one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Italy and stretches from the French border to Tuscany. It includes the stunning Cinque Terre coastline and the exclusive resort of Portofino, south of Genoa. Of the 125 communities recognised by the organisation, there was a 6% increase over 2009. The central region of Tuscany and the north-eastern region of Marche each had 16 quality beaches recognised by Blue Flag, while 14 beaches on the Adriatic Coast in the region of Abruzzo were singled out by the organisation. The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). "Local administrations that are not orienting themselves in the direction of sustainable tourism in their beach resorts are blocking the possibility of developing quality tourism in the future," said Claudio Mazza, president of FEE.
Blue Flag looks at sustainable development at beaches and marinas using strict criteria regarding water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety and other services.
The organisation recognised 12 beaches in the southern region of Campania while Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, only scored four Blue Flags. Sardinia, a popular location for summer vacations, scored five while six Sicilian beaches were recognised by the organisation.
Since the Blue Flag programme started in 1987, more than 53,000 Blue Flags have been raised in recognition of quality and cleanliness at beaches around the world.
Lawrence, has the cleanest beaches in Italy, according to an environmental body.
Blue Flag, which works with the United Nations' Environment Programme, has analysed more than 3,000 beaches and marinas in 41 countries from Europe to South Africa, New Zealand and the Caribbean. In its 2010 review of 233 Italian beaches, Blue Flag found 17 beaches in Liguria deserved its Blue Flag designation for high quality, cleanliness and respect for the environment. Liguria has one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Italy and stretches from the French border to Tuscany. It includes the stunning Cinque Terre coastline and the exclusive resort of Portofino, south of Genoa. Of the 125 communities recognised by the organisation, there was a 6% increase over 2009. The central region of Tuscany and the north-eastern region of Marche each had 16 quality beaches recognised by Blue Flag, while 14 beaches on the Adriatic Coast in the region of Abruzzo were singled out by the organisation. The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). "Local administrations that are not orienting themselves in the direction of sustainable tourism in their beach resorts are blocking the possibility of developing quality tourism in the future," said Claudio Mazza, president of FEE.
The organisation recognised 12 beaches in the southern region of Campania while Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, only scored four Blue Flags. Sardinia, a popular location for summer vacations, scored five while six Sicilian beaches were recognised by the organisation.
Since the Blue Flag programme started in 1987, more than 53,000 Blue Flags have been raised in recognition of quality and cleanliness at beaches around the world.