BLUE FLAG FLAUNTING

Valencia region has the most blue flags in the country, and Spain has the most worldwide

ONCE again, the Costa is bedecked with blue: proving for the 30th year running that Spain's beaches really are the best in the world, the Valencia region has clocked up 129 blue flag awards, denoting quality, cleanliness, safety, accessibility and top facilities.

Blue flags were first awarded in 1987, and Spain has made an effort to stay atop the worldwide ranking every year as a way to showcase one of its main touristic attractions.

This year, the country has been awarded 684: 579 for the beaches, 100 for sports marinas, and five for touristic vessels.

Even though the figure represents a slight decrease compared to last year due to stricter guidelines, it keeps Spain in first place with almost 200 more than its competitors, namely Greece and France.

Moreover, 14 Spanish towns that did not have a blue flag last year have been granted one for 2017, a fact considered a 'huge success' and 'outstanding' by tourism and blue flag association representatives.

The Valencia region

Our three provinces have been awarded 144 blue flags this year, four more than in 2016, and therefore continue to boast the highest amount in the country followed by Galicia and Cataluña.

Additions this year have come by way of Estanyol (Moncofa, Castellón), Miramar and Daimúz (Valencia) and Cala Moraig, Cala Mosca and Higuericas (Benitachell, Orihuela and Pilar de la Horadada, Alicante),

Dénia is stunned to have lost its blue flag for the rocky Las Rotas beach, popu- lar with snorkellers, and believes this is due to an absence of buoys, which the regional government has banned on environmental protection grounds.

But the Las Marinas beaches, Les Bovetes, Els Molins and the Punta del Raset have won back their blue flags.

Jávea has netted three this year, for the Arenal, La Grava and the Granadella.

Benidorm, La Cala Finestrat (pictured above) Alfaz, Altea and Calpe hag on to their flags.