Blue Flags will fly over just two of Lanzarote’s beaches this summer, as Puerto del Carmen failed to win a single example of the prestigious accolade for the first time in decades.
Two years ago, Lanzarote had seven Blue Flag beaches, and Puerto del Carmen boasted four of them, fluttering above the busy tourist beaches of Matagorda, Los Pocillos, Playa Grande and Playa Chica. However, Playa Grande lost its flag last year and the remaining three beaches in Lanzarote’s largest resort do not appear in the list of Blue Flag awards published yesterday by ADEAC (Association for Environmental Education and the Consumer).
Playa de las Cucharas in Costa Teguise also lost its Blue Flag. Only the small-town beach at Playa Blanca and the city beach of El Reducto in Arrecife have qualified for the award this year, while Puerto Calero repeated its Blue Flag for sporting marinas.
While many associate Blue Flags with cleanliness of the water, this is just one of several criteria assessed when awarding the accolade. Others include disabled access, lifesaving facilities and public conveniences. As a result, a Blue Flag requires significant investment by local authorities.
ADEAC has not yet announced why flags are withheld, but their loss is sure to bring sharp criticism of Tías Ayuntamiento as well as an island whose economy still relies largely on “sun and sea” tourism.
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