The announcement of the 2016 International Blue Flag results revealed that a total of 45 South African beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status this year, along with five marinas and eight sustainable tourism boats.
The Western Cape has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites, with 29 of the beaches, all eight boats and four of the five Blue Flag marinas falling in the province.
Plettenberg Bay has received Blue Flag status for five beaches during the 2016/17 season. This includes Robberg 5 (8th year), Keurboomstrand (6th year), Nature’s Valley (5th year), Lookout (3rd year) and the newest to join Blue Flag status is The Dunes beach.
The Blue Flag programme’s aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and at the same time, encouraging them to learn more about their environment.
The Tourism Blue Flag Project aims to improve tourism facilities and services offered at Blue Flag beaches across South Africa, while still providing youth employment opportunities.
Through this project, 200 participants will be employed in the role of “Beach Stewards” and hosted by local coastal municipalities at Blue Flag sites. Plettenberg Bay will receive 15 Beach Stewards, 3 will be appointed at each Blue Flag beach site. They will received accredited training in environmental education and practical work experience with the ultimate aim of developing them for further employment in the coastal tourism sector (the “Blue Economy).
For more information regarding the detailed criteria and award process, please visit: http://www.blueflag.global/
There is always a good reason to visit Plett :)
