Greece has once again secured second place in the global “Blue Flag” rankings, earning 652 points among 52 countries!

It has been noted that the number of award-winning beaches in the country continues to grow steadily, annually surpassing the mark of 600. Of all the participating countries, Greece possesses 15% of internationally recognized coastlines.

The prefecture of Halkidiki leads in Greece with 104 flags, while the region of Crete maintains its leadership among islands with 146 flags.

The annual “Blue Flag” award ceremony was held on the coast of Kalamata.

The president of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) and vice-president of the Foundation for Environmental Education, Nikos Petrou, noted that thanks to the efforts of EEPF, Greece holds 15% of all awarded coastlines, and this number continues to grow.

He emphasized that the goal is to maintain the quality of the coastlines in the face of a changing environment. Despite their uniqueness, Greek coastlines face global threats such as pollution, climate change, and overfishing. On a local level, there are also risks including the overuse of coastal resources, uncontrolled reconstruction, and unsustainable management of tourism infrastructure.

The “Blue Flag” is the most recognizable symbol of environmental quality in the world and a valuable tool for the protection and promotion of sustainable tourism. The program continually evolves and revises its criteria to remain effective and relevant.

Since 1951, EEPF has continued its efforts to protect coastlines and promote eco-friendly tourism.