13 beaches located on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast have been awarded the Blue Flag certificate. They include 3 beaches in the Sunny Beach resort, the beaches in Dyuni resort and those located in Arkutino resort.

The Blue Flag is an international award, given to beach operators that make a special effort to manage their coastal water environment and beaches. To attain the Blue Flag, beach operators have to fulfill a number of criteria covering water and coastal quality, environmental information, safety, service and facilities. Moreover, special measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus are taken at the Blue Flag beaches as well, specified the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement.

Although the Blue Flag is the world’s most recognized label, beach concessionaries in Bulgaria show little interest in it, says Stanimir Georgiev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement.

“We keep a closer eye on the beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag certificate and guarantee that they meet the world requirements for this prestigious label. We are watching other beaches, which are doing really well and can easily receive the Blue Flag certificate, but their beach operators are not showing any interest. Unfortunately, there are other nice beaches that must offer a better product to beachgoers, but the concessionaires are not making enough efforts,”

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova

English version Kostadin Atanasov