A total of 19 beaches in Greece were stripped of their blue flag status for failing to maintain the high environmental standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
The Blue Flag label is an international symbol of quality, and is one of the best known environmental symbols worldwide.
It has been awarded since 1987 to beaches and marinas meeting the strict requirements of the programme. It aims at making beaches and marinas better and safer, while at the same time protecting their natural environment.
The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature; which is the coordinator for the programme in Greece, has decided to withdraw blue flags from the following Greek beaches:
- Golden Beach, Agiokampos, Larissa
- Elani Bay, Chalikidiki
- Potamos Beach, Hersonnisos, Heraklion
- Vourlia Beach, Lasithi
- Mesaggala Beach, Larissa
- Vlychada beach, Fthiotida
- Ierapetra beach, Lasithi
- Vulism beach, Lasithi
- Aghia Triada beach, Thessaloniki
- Myrtos beach, Kefallonia
- Argasi beach, Zakynthos
- Two beaches at Laganas, Zakynthos
- Aghios Sostis/Limanaki beach, Zakynthos
- Banana beach, Zakynthos
- Aghia Marina beach, Aegina
- Two beaches at Kamari, Santorini
- Aghios Georgios beach, Santorini
Despite all this, Greece still ranks number two on the Blue Flag quality awards this year among a long list of 47 countries.
In total, the region of Halkidiki collected the majority of awards with 71 flags.
Last year, 430 beaches and 9 marinas around Greece were honoured with the quality Blue Flag award.
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