Italian Blue Flag beaches on the rise

(ANSA) - Rome, May 12 - Liguria in northwest Italy has retained its title as the region with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches this year as the total number of resorts to be given the prestigious eco-label for cleanliness and sustainability continues to climb, the international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) said on Tuesday.
    In 2015 Italy can boast some 280 Blue Flag beaches - 7% of the global total - spread across a total of 147 municipalities nationwide, compared to the 269 beaches in 140 municipalities recorded last year and the 248 beaches in 135 municipalities recorded in 2013.
    "We can announce with satisfaction an increase in the number of Blue Flags in 2015 as well," said FEE Italy President Claudio Mazza.
    "(This is a) constant increase proving the determination of many municipalities not to put environmental issues in second place despite budget cuts," he continued. Liguria has seen the number of pristine beaches rise by 3 to 23, putting it in first place ahead of Tuscany with 18 and the central Marche region with 17 (the same as in 2014).
    Campania south of Rome remained in fourth place with 14 Blue Flag beaches, followed by Puglia with 11. In both cases, this was one up on last year.
    The northern region of Emilia Romagna retained its nine Blue Flag beaches, while Abruzzo in central Italy instead continued its downwards trend, shedding a further two to reach a total of 8 after losing four last year. Veneto in northern Italy and Lazio in central Italy both gained one Blue Flag beach and the island region of Sardinia, known worldwide for its crystalline waters and luxury Emerald Coast resorts, gained two, taking their respective totals to eight. Sicily off the toe of Italy's boot had a net loss of one Blue Flag to a total of 5, trailed by the regions of Calabria, Molise, Friuli and Basilicata, which confirmed their respective four, three, two and one. Of the Blue Flags awarded, eight were for lakeside resorts in landlocked regions - one in Lombardy, two in Piedmont and five in Trentino Alto Adige.
    Launched in 1987, the FEE's Blue Flag program uses strict criteria on water quality, environmental education and management, safety and services to monitor sustainable development of beaches and marinas worldwide.
    The prestigious award is a strong point for recipient municipalities, translating into a stronger image and greater tourist satisfaction, a recent joint study by the universities of Urbino and Perugia has shown.