Tunisia holds an information day on “Blue Flag” program
TUNISIAONLINENEWS- Mr. Nadhir Hamada, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development held on Monday an information day on “Blue Flag” eco-label, a voluntary ecological certification system targeting beaches and marinas throughout the world, in which he called all the parties concerned to integrate in this special program to keep up with global trends in the sustainable tourism sector.
The “Blue Flag” program works towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management safety and other services.
The “Blue Flag” Program includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators.
Since 2005, Tunisia has held awareness campaigns and has nominated beaches and marinas which qualified for the label.
The minister pointed out that in 2009 the Blue Flag was attributed to 5 Tunisian beaches, Zarzis, Korba town, Korba east, southern Hammamet and northern Hamamet, as well as the Hammamet marina.
He added that Tabarka, Bizerta, Kelibia, Mahdia beaches as well as Monastir marina which were given the adherence labels (pending a trial period) in 2009, are invited to complete the necessary requirements to obtain the Blue Flag label in 2010.
In 2009, the value of the assistance provided to the Blue Flag program reached 530,000 dinars for 10 beaches and marinas.
Since 2009, Tunisia has established a program for protecting beaches which will comprise in 2010, 4 regions including, northern Tunisia, Sousse, Kerkennah and Monastir and other beaches such as Djerba, Kelibia and Rafraf.
So far, some 3450 beaches and marinas in 41 countries across Europe, South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean, have been given the “Blue Flag” label.
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