Blue Flag International has announced the Blue Flag Eco label awarded beaches for the Northern Hemisphere. Malta this year was awarded the Full Blue Flag status for ten beaches, which included Ramla Il Hamra Bay in Gozo,as well the Beach of Quality status for two beaches. Gozo – Hondoq Bay and Marsalforn Bay.

In Malta the beaches awarded Blue Flag status are – Saint George's Bay, Fond Ghadir Bay, Westin Dragonara Hotel and Spa Beach, Qawra Bay, Bugibba Beach, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay (being awarded for the first time), Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Islands Edge Beach (Paradise Bay Hotel),

In its report Blue Flag congratulated the Malta FEE representative – Nature Trust (Malta) for its professional approach and in investigating issues in a fast and timely manner and also engaging independent experts like Mellieha Bay Kiosk issues and some issues related to waste management.

The International Jury which is made up of:

The International Union for the conservation of Nature – IUCN

The Coastal and Marine Union – EUCC

International Council of Marine Industry Associations – ICOMIA

United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP

European Environment Agency – EEA

International Life Saving Federation Europe – ILSF

World Tourism Organisation -UNWTO

International Environmental Education Expert

Foundation for Environmental Education – FEE International

Blue Flag International appreciated the bigger amount of work produced by all national operators this year, and reminded that these requirements were dictated by a need to ensure full compliance throughout the network, and was resulting from major non-compliance issues which were found during the 2015 evaluations.

The International Jury stressed the importance of environmental education activities in the Blue Flag Programme, as one of FEE's core values. The International Jury reminded that environmental education activities must have an environmental component and cannot be replaced by lifesaving or fire fighting activities. It stressed that particular attention is paid to this issue during this year's national control visits, seminars, and in the future national evaluations.

The sites of St George's Bay, Bugibba Pearched Beach, Qawra Beach, and Mellieha Bay were commended for their great work in this area in this area.

The International Jury reminded all countries that the FEE branding guidelines were approved in 2008 and that the country and the national operator are responsible for the correct use of the logo. It reminded all the countries that as decided at the 2012 International Jury, all the non-compliant sites regarding logos will not be awarded, or will lose their flag during the season, if proven non-compliant.

Waste Management – Blue Flag urged the Beaches of Ghajn Tuffieha, and Ramla Bay and Island's edge to come in line with all other beaches with regards the bin standards.

It also stressed that the Beaches on Mellieha Bay, Bugibba, Qawra, San Georges Bay and Fond Ghadira should be monitored more to ensure that the proper waste separate and waste disposal is up to standard. Failing to do this would mean that they may lose their Flag during 2016.

The International Jury congratulated the National Operator – Nature Trust (/Malta) "for sending all documentation on time this year, and in an organised manner."

The International Jury granted the permanent dispensation to Ghajn Tuffieha for as long as the Golden Bay receives the Blue Flag award, and on the condition that information about the closest Blue Flag accessible beach (Golden Bay) is posted on the information board of Ghajn Tuffieha. This is due to the fact that Ghajn Tuffieha bay cannot have access to disabled due to its landscape and ecological status.

Malta has also two Green Key Hotels which are part of the Starwood Chain – Westin Dragonara Resort and Le Meridian St Julian's.

These join hundreds of hotels around the Mediterranean in promoting Sustainable Tourism and attracting tourists to spend more nights in such hotels of high standard

Photograph: Alain Salvary

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