For testing the feasibility of Blue Flag’s new criteria for sustainable boating tourism operators, Vincent Shacks, Blue Flag National Operator in South Africa visited a shark cage diving tour operator in False Bay. Although the encounter with the Great White Sharks was the highlight of his tour, the professional insights he gained into the industry were of equal value for him.

The International Blue Flag Awards have recognised ten of Northern Ireland’s beaches as “world class” for their facilities and water quality. The new Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen, attended the ceremony as her first public event.

Las Cuevas Beach, located on the north coast of Trinidad, is the only Blue Flag certified beach in the southern English-speaking Caribbean since January 2015 and an important turtle nesting ground in the Caribbean.  

In April 2016, for the first time, the Blue Flag International Jury will award tour operators in marine tourism. With the help of an expert working party, the world’s leading eco-label has devised new criteria for boat-based tourism activities.

The idea to certify businesses that care for the needs of their customers as well as for the environment was welcomed by Blue Flag’s National Operators worldwide. 

In 2016, Blue Flag South Africa will be partnering with the South African National Department of Tourism on a three year project which will focus on improving services and adherence to the Blue Flag criteria by employing 200 community members from low income households

A new organisation is running the Blue Flag programme in 2016 in New Zealand, and the FEE CEO visited them to ensure FEE processes are taken care of.

St. Maarten held its annual Blue Flag ceremony in December, honouring the achievements of the awarded sites and their committment to the Blue Flag programme in the past years. 

Two Japaneese municipalities, Kamakura and Takahama, are working hard towards obtaining the Blue Flag for 2016. For the first time they met to exchange experiences and discuss with the Blue Flag National Operator and the Blue Flag International Director.

Born from a French idea in 1985, Blue Flag turned 30 this year in its mother country!  French municipalities came to this special anniversary event,  to receive their flag and to exchange ideas amongst each other.