Tourexpi
Türkiye has retained its third-place ranking for
Blue Flag beaches this year, with 567 of its beaches listed in this category,
according to the country's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy.
In a post on X, Ersoy said the country's consistent
success in the Blue Flag awards is a source of pride and that they are
determined to achieve the top ranking.
The Blue Flag awards, a title given to beaches that
are clean and safe, are presented by the Foundation for Environmental Education
(FEE) headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ersoy said the government has consistently worked
to increase the number of Blue Flag beaches every year, with 16 more beaches in
Türkiye receiving the designation this year.
"Blue Flags suit our beaches very well. This
year, 567 beaches, 27 marinas, 18 tourism boats, and nine individual yachts in
our country have been awarded the Blue Flag," he said.
Spain holds the top spot for the most Blue Flag
beaches this year, followed by Greece in second place. Türkiye ranks third,
with Italy in fourth and France in fifth.
Antalya tops Blue Flag list
This year, Türkiye has added three beaches each in
Istanbul, Balikesir, and Aydın provinces; two each in Antalya and Mugla
provinces; and one each in Izmir, Canakkale, Tekirdag, Bursa, Kirklareli, and
Yalova provinces to its Blue Flag beaches list.
The increase of 16 Blue Flag beaches comes despite
the absence of beaches from Sakarya, Duzce, and Edirne, which were on the list
last year.
Turkey had 551 Blue Flag beaches last year, with
the number remaining unchanged in provinces such as Samsun, Mersin, Kocaeli,
Bartın, Ordu, Zonguldak, and Van.
Antalya, with 233 Blue Flag beaches, is Türkiye's
leading province, followed by Mugla with 112 beaches and Izmir with 64.
The Blue Flag program in Türkiye began in 1993
following the European Union's designation of 1987 as the Year of the
Environment. The program aims to protect public health and continue these
efforts through environmental education and awareness activities.
Blue Flag beaches are evaluated based on 33
criteria, marinas on 38, tourism boats on 51, and individual yachts on four
criteria and 16 behavior rules.
These include regular water quality analysis,
appropriate wastewater treatment, protection of sensitive natural areas,
availability of lifeguards and first aid equipment, emergency plans, facilities
for the disabled, waste separation, and environmental education and
information.
Marinas and tourism boats are also assessed based
on corporate social responsibility and public engagement.
Image
Credit: © AA
The most interesting news
IHG Hotels and Resorts Strengthens Position Across Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean
As a featured presenter and patron sponsor of this week’s Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean & Latin America (ALIS CALA) conference, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) reaffirms its strength and commitment to growth within Mexico, Latin America a
Emirates caps record-breaking ATM, welcoming over 27,000 visitors
Forging nearly 40 strategic partnerships across the travel ecosystem
River Cruise Expo 2026 Officially Sold Out, Wait List Opened
The event will be held March 11-15, 2026, in Amsterdam and has sold out for its fourth-consecutive year.
Türkiye’s Travel and Tourism to Reach a Record TL 5.2TN This Year
Türkiye’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to soar to new heights in 2025, according to the latest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), cementing the country’s status as one of the world’s most popular and most resilient destinat
SWISS posts CHF 3 million operating result for the first-quarter period
SWISS has reported a positive operating result for the first three months of 2025. Adjusted EBIT for the period amounted to CHF 3 million (Q1 2024: CHF 31 million).
Accor To Manage Victoria Golf Resort and Spa, Portugal
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with over 5,600 properties across more than 110 countries and 45+ brands, is pleased to announce it has taken over the management of Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, a landmark hotel on southern Portugal’s pictur
Booking.com: Growing Awareness of Tourism’s Impact on Communities
Booking.com has released the 10th edition of its annual Sustainable Travel Research, highlighting the increasing awareness among travellers regarding the social and ecological impacts of tourism.
Radisson Hotel Group Publishes 2024 Sustainability Report
Radisson Hotel Group has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing the company’s commitment to responsible business practices through transparent and accountable reporting.
Emirates expands footprint into Eastern China with launch of daily Dubai-Hangzhou flights
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is set to launch a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Hangzhou from 30 July*.
Condor and Emirates officially activate reciprocal codeshare agreement
Condor and Emirates have officially activated their reciprocal codeshare partnership ahead of the 2025 summer travel season.
Lufthansa shareholders approve all agenda items at the Annual General Meeting
Around 1,500 shareholders attended the Annual General Meeting online.
Turkey Welcomes 8,9 Million Tourists in Q1
2025 Culture Route Festival Promises World-Class Highlights.
International Tourism in Spain Sets New Record in Q1 2025: €23.5 Billion Spent
International tourists spent a record €23.5 billion in Spain during the first quarter of 2025, marking a 7.2% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE).
Türkiye Celebrated as Global Tourism Hub Bridging Asia and Europe
Türkiye has been praised as a leading global tourism destination, uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Asia and Europe.
ASTA Calls on US Department of Transportation to Reform Airline Refund and Disclosure Rules
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), representing over 190,000 travel professionals across the United States, has formally submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding regulatory reform.
Marriott International Announces the Return of the Luxury Dining Series in 2025
Marriott International's acclaimed Luxury Dining Series is making a much-anticipated comeback in 2025, expanding from six to seven luxury properties across the Asia Pacific. Set to take place from July to September, the series will showcase a gastron
Radisson Hotel Group accelerates growth in Australasia with strategic projects
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce a series of major developments across its Australasia portfolio, underscoring its commitment to market expansion, enhanced guest experiences, and increased owner profitability through innovative technology an
Empowering Innovation and Inclusion: UN Tourism Leads Global Dialogue at Expo 2025 Japan
At Japan’s Expo 2025, UN Tourism highlighted the key role of innovation and education for driving transformation and female empowerment in the sector.
Turespaña Releases May 2025 Air Capacity Forecast
According to the latest data released by Turespaña, nearly 12 million international air seats are scheduled to arrive in Spain during May 2025. This represents a 6.3% year-on-year increase compared to May 2024, which saw 11.3 million seats offered.
Agoda Unpacks the Ultimate Family Travel Bucket List in Asia
With school breaks and summer holidays just around the corner, there's no better time to pack up the kids and hit the road. Digital travel platform Agoda reveals its top family travel destinations in Asia for 2025, based on search data from January t
