Words by Andrea Critien
Over recent years The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has taken the role of beach management around a number of local beaches. To meet international standards in safety, bathing water quality, services and environmental awareness, the Blue Flag requires applying 100% of the BLUE FLAG criteria and the Beach of Quality (BOQ) requires 70%. Through sustainable beach management operations, locals and tourists benefit from the good use of the coast while respecting the natural environment.
The Blue Flag Programme helps in highlighting the beach product to international recognition. It helps to encourage achieving higher results in water quality and the overall awareness of the coastal eco system. It is operated by FEE (Federation of Environmental Education) represented in Malta by Nature Trust. Malta joined the BLUE FLAG Programme in 2006 with St George's Bay and achieving the first Blue Flag in 2009. To date awards have been achieved for:
- St. Georges Bay (SGB) – Blue Flag
- Bugibba Perched Beach (BPB) – Blue Flag
- Mellieha Bay (MB) – Blue Flag
- Qawra Point – Blue Flag
- Ramla l-Hamra (Gozo)- Blue Flag
- Għajn Tuffieha – Blue Flag
- Golden Bay (GB) – Beach of Quality
- Fond Ghadir – Blue Flag
- Paradise Bay Hotel Resort Cirkewwa- Blue Flag
Blue Flag Awards help in giving our beaches a professional outlook on an international level standard.
To keep abreast with any updates please log onto http://www.mta.com.mt/blueflag
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