#Antalya Blue Flag Coordinator Mustafa Ergiydiren

Antalya makes a difference in tourism with its Blue Flag beaches

According to the 2023 awards announced by the International Blue Flag Jury, the Blue Flag will fly on 629 beaches in Spain, 617 beaches in Greece, 551 beaches in Turkey, 23 marinas, 14 tourism boats and 10 individual yachts. In Antalya, which is the first in Turkey and the world, increasing the number of Blue Flag beaches from 213 in 2021 and 229 last year to 231 this year, flags have started to be hung on the beaches from Gazipaşa to Kaş, 5 marinas and 14 international tourism boats, which passed inspections. The increase in the number of Blue Flag beaches, yachts and boats in Antalya every year also makes a significant contribution to tourism. In particular, some foreign tourists pay attention to the fact that the beaches where they swim, the yachts and tourism boats they go on tour are Blue Flag. Maintaining the title of the city with the highest number of international environmental awards "Blue Flag" in the world, Antalya is among the choices of millions of tourists every year. "Quality tourism attracts guests" Kaş Mayor Mutlu Ulutaş said that 5 beaches won the Blue Flag award and that the environment and tourism are important components. Explaining that tourism makes a difference with its historical aspect, nature and sea, Ulutaş said: "Quality tourism here attracts guests coming from outside every day. It creates a center of attraction towards Kaş. The blueness of our sea, its cleanliness, and the virginity of the region are the reasons for the preference of all sea lovers. It is important that nature and the sea are protected and sustainable and that everyone can benefit. That's why the bar is constantly rising in tourism. It is very valuable that yachts and tourism boats on the beaches serve with the Blue Flag. We are making our best contribution with the components of all public institutions and organizations to preserve these beauties and transfer them to future generations." "Our guests especially prefer Blue Flag boats" İlyas Kahraman, whose blue flag was hung on his boat in Kaş district, also stated that he was happy to win the award. Expressing that they regularly recycle the waste on the boat at the port in order not to pollute the sea, Kahraman emphasized that they do not use plastic on the boat. Stating that they get all the energy on the boat from the sun, Kahraman said, "We do not run motors on our boat. Our guests especially prefer Blue Flag boats because they know the importance of the environment. In tours, we talk about sea creatures in sensitive protected areas. We attach importance to protecting nature and raising awareness on this issue. We have the boat repaired and maintained at the Blue Flag marina." Turkish Environmental Education Foundation Antalya Blue Flag Coordinator Mustafa Ergiydiren said that Antalya makes a difference in the world with the number of awarded beaches. Pointing out that there are many criteria for winning the Blue Flag, Ergiydiren said, "Antalya is the city with the highest number of Blue Flags in the world. It is as important as winning the Blue Flag award. If we find that the criteria are not met, we can lower the flag for 10 days or cancel it during the season, depending on the extent of the violation."