Rome, 10 May 2022 – New entry, but also excellent exclusions. There are 210 Italian municipalities that this year have obtained the Blue Flagthe recognition to the most pristine and sustainable coastal resorts and marinas, awarded by the Foundation for environmental education (Fee), an international NGO based in Denmark. A total of 427 award-winning beaches, which correspond to about 10% of those at the top in the world.
What changes this year
The awarded municipalities are 9 more than 201 last year: 14 are the new entrancesi, 5 unconfirmed municipalities. 82 tourist landings also get the Blue Flag. The 14 new entries among the Municipalities are Alba Adriatica in Abruzzo, Caulonia and Capo Rizzuto Island in Calabria, Ispani in Campania, Riccione and San Mauro Pascoli in Emilia Romagna, Porto Recanati in the Marche, Cannobio in Piedmont, Castro, Rodi Garganico and Ugento in Puglia, Budoni in Sardinia, Furci Siculo in Sicily, Pietrasanta in Tuscany. San Mauro Cilento and Sapri in Campania, Ventotene in Lazio have not been confirmed this year, the Tremiti Islands and Otranto in Puglia.
The regions at the top
Liguria confirms 32 locations. Campania, Tuscany and Puglia follow with 18 flags. There are 17 awards for Calabria and Marche. Sardinia reaches 15 locations, Abruzzo rises to 14, Sicily to 11. Lazio drops to 10, the 10 flags of Trentino Alto Adige remain unchanged. Emilia Romagna sees 9 locations awarded, the 9 Flags of the Veneto are reconfirmed. Basilicata confirms its 5 locations, Piedmont rises to 3 Flags, Friuli Venezia Giulia confirms the 2 of the previous year. Molise remains with 1 Flag, like Lombardy. The Flags on the lakes rise to 17, with a new entrance (Cannobio, on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont).
How they are assigned
I criteria for the assignment of the Blue Flag are absolute validity of bathing water, efficiency of purification and waste management, pedestrian areas, cycle paths, street furniture, green areas, beach services, removal of architectural barriers, environmental education courses, hotel facilities, public health services, tourist information, environmental certification of institutional activities and tourist facilities, sustainable fishing.