Number of beaches and marinas awarded the Blue Flag may increase

The number of beaches and marinas in Brazil certified by the Blue Flag Program may increase in October. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the program is “the largest global award dedicated to the management of beaches, marinas and tourism vessels”.

An assessment by the national award jury, which has the participation of the portfolio, decided to pre-approve 40 blue flags, 29 of which are beaches and 11 marinas. The total represents an increase of 42% compared to the 2021 season, when 28 sites were certified, a record for the program.

Among the pre-approved, there are 20 beaches and six marinas that can have their certificate renewed. There were also indications of nine new beaches: Lagoa do Peri, Florianópolis (SC); Itaúna Beach, Saquarema (RJ); Praia do Cerro, Barra Velha (SC); Praia do Forno, Armação de Búzios (RJ); Taquaras Beach, Balneário Camboriú (SC); Cumbuco Beach, Caucaia (CE); Praia Grande and Ervino, in São Francisco do Sul (SC).

Five marinas were also nominated for the first time: Voga Marine (SP); Santos Yacht Club, Angra dos Reis (RJ); Santos Yacht Club, Guarujá (SP); Marina da Conceição, Florianópolis (SC); and Yacht Clube da Bahia, Salvador (BA).

For the Minister of Tourism, Carlos Brito, the entry of new locations in the Blue Flag program shows the recognition of the work done by the government in relation to the environment. “We will have more certified beaches and this will certainly have a positive impact on the recognition of Brazilian natural beauties by tourists from all over the world.”

Certificate

To obtain the Blue Flag certificate, it is necessary to meet a series of criteria focused on environmental management, water quality, environmental education, safety and services, sustainable tourism and social responsibility. All criteria must be maintained and proven annually.

The program’s intention is to increase the degree of participation and awareness of society, including entrepreneurs in the nautical sector and public managers about the need to protect marine/coastal environments, reinforcing actions that result in the solution of existing problems in the search for quality and protection. environmental.

Now, those classified by the national jury will have their application forwarded to the international Blue Flag jury, which meets in September to choose the winners. The final result will be known in October. The flag handing ceremony will take place in November, at the beginning of the summer season in the southern hemisphere.

Blue Flag

In addition to promoting sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas, the Blue Flag Program challenges local authorities and beach managers to achieve high quality standards required in the criteria for choosing areas. Currently, the Blue Flag has developed into “a highly respected and recognized eco-label working to bring together the tourism and environment sectors locally, regionally and internationally”, highlighted the ministry.

The Blue Flag Program was created by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which is an international institution with several country representatives. In Brazil, the national operator of the program is Instituto Ambientes em Rede (IAR).

List of beaches indicated for the 2022/2023 season: