66 Blue Flag status' awarded to SA's top beaches, boats and marinas

©Aleksandrs Tihonovs via 123RF

The Blue Flag programme allows for potential Blue Flag sites to participate in the Pilot Programme. This year 24 beaches across three provinces have been awarded Pilot status and throughout the 2018/19 Blue Flag season, WESSA will work with beach managers and Tourism Blue Flag Beach Stewards from these Pilot beaches, towards the longer-term goal of achieving full Blue Flag status.

The Western Cape achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites, with 30 beaches, 12 boats and seven of the eight Blue Flag marinas. The Eastern Cape was awarded one Blue Flag Marina site, and retained their seven beaches. KwaZulu Natal was awarded 9 Blue Flag beaches.

The establishment of municipal partnerships

Speaking at the event, the national Department of Tourism director of programme planning and implementation, Patience Molokoza said: "Through programmes like the Tourism Blue Flag Beach Stewards that is implemented by Wessa, we can address the issue of South Africa’s youth unemployment. This programme is meant to capacitate the youth and provide skills training and development. Programmes like these would not be possible if it were not for partnerships with municipalities.

"The Blue Flag project has a number of highlights, we have managed to educate and train more than 14,000 people over a period of two years and we applaud Wessa for their involvement in this programme."

Vincent Shacks, general manager of the Ecotourism unit noted that the municipalities, marinas and boat operators who have achieved the prestigious Blue Flag award are sustainable tourism champions and all South Africans should be proud of these achievements. "Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label, so all of the effort and funding that is put into improving these sites is done in the interest of those using them. We are especially inspired by those sites where municipalities, the business sector and local residents are all working together to maintain this standard of excellence."

Since its launch in 1987, the Blue Flag Programme has continued to grow, not only regarding the number of member countries and sites involved, but also in its range of expertise within marine and freshwater environments.

View the full list of 2018/19 Blue Flag Beaches, Boats and Marinas.