TUNIS - Tunisia is the third African country to have joined the "Blue Flag" programme after South Africa and Morocco. The blue flag is considered as one of the preferred criteria adopted worldwide by tourists and holidaymakers, to choose resorts and marinas.
The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has established, as part of preserving the coastline and setting up the foundations of a lasting development, a programme to create an eco- label "Blue Flag," for beaches and marinas.
This programmes aims to rehabilitate Tunisian beaches, according to quality standards so that they can benefit from the world label "Blue Flag." The programme also seeks to improve waterfronts, provide necessary equipment to accommodate summer visitors and improve quality standards of Tunisian beaches.
The Blue Flag is awarded on the basis of four key criteria relating to environmental information and awareness, safety equipment, services, environmental management and water quality.
The Coastline Protection and Development Agency (APAL) is working at present to assist costal municipalities and hotels bidding for the "Blue Flag" to prepare their applications, in addition to the financial support it provides for the installation of necessary equipment to ensure best conditions for hosting holidaymakers.
Fifteen beaches and marinas have obtained so far the "Blue Flag" label. It should be noted that costal environment in Tunisia enjoys throughout the year programmes designed to preserve the costal ecosystems and rehabilitate the country's coastline while seeking to achieve the sustainable development objectives sought-after.
Efforts will focus, in this regard, on the realisation of different components of the national programme for development of walks along beaches which is presently run by APAL, in association with coastal municipalities.
This programme aims to protect public beaches, beautify costal cities, improve citizens' living conditions and create new leisure spaces. Another programme included in the 12th Development Plan provides for interventions in a dozen beaches in 2010. It seeks to remove about 38,000 cubic metres of marine algae.
© Agence Tunis Afrique Presse 2010
