ITALY HAS 368 BLUE FLAG BEACHES

The international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for 2018 has awarded 10% more Blue Flags to Italy’s resorts. The resorts that can boast the prestigious eco-label for cleanliness, sustainability, and services grew form 342 in 2017 to this year’s 368, about 10% of those awarded worldwide. These have not only been awarded to seaside beaches, but also to 70 tourist ports and to 16 lake resorts, 10 of which are in Trentino-alto Adige.

Considering the different regions, Liguria leads the national ranking, confirming the certification for 27 localities, followed by Tuscany with 19 locations, while Campania, with 3 new entries (Piano di Sorrento, Sorrento, and Ispani), reaches 18 Blue Flags. Fourth place for the Marche with certified 16 municipalities. Puglia conquers 3 new flags (Peschici, Rodi Garganico, and Zapponeta) for a total of 14. Sardinia is present with 13 locations with 2 new flags entrances (Bari Sardo, Trinità d’agultu, and Vignola).

Abruzzo goes up to 9 with the certification of a lakeside location (Scanno), the same number of flags obtained by Calabria with 2 new ones (Tortora and Sellia Marina). Veneto and Lazio confirm their 8 flags, even if in Lazio one certification has not been confirmed (Anzio) and a new one has been awarded (Trevignano Romano). Emilia Romagna adds one flag (Cattolica) going up to 7, while Sicily loses one (Pozzallo) going down to 6. Basilicata obtains 4 certifications, with 2 new flags (Nova Siri and Bernalda), and Friuli Venezia Giulia confirms the 2 Flags of the previous year. Molise closes the ranking with 1 Flag.