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ANDALUSIA LEADS THE WAY IN BEACH CLEANLINESS

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Rosalie Diepenbrock / 2010-06-23 14:14:14

Andalusia is the community in Spain that has received the award of most Quality of Tourism awards for its beaches, a total of 53 in all. It was followed by Valencia with 39, Murcia and Catalonia with 21 and 17 respectively.

The Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastián, last week presented the “Q” for Tourism Quality Flags at a ceremony that was attended by the State Secretary for Tourism, Joan Mesquida, and the ICTE President, Miguel Mirones, is held in recognition of those beaches that offer a quality system aimed at the enjoyment of tourism.

In his speech, Miguel Sebastián highlighted quality as an outstanding factor of tourism in Spain compared with the tough competition abroad. He also defended tourism that is compatible with environmental sustainability.

 “We understand tourism activity as a factor that respects our coastline, as a means of demonstrating the value of the landscape and environmental diversity of our coasts”, he said.

The Minister for Industry indicated that the “Q for Quality” mark provides the perfect distinguishing feature with which to encompass common characteristics under a single symbol and highlighted the importance of providing such features so that tourists can appreciate the quality of certain locations and establishments. Tourism must be an activity that respects our coasts and the “Q for Quality” provides the perfect distinguishing feature for tourists to be made aware of the quality of certain locations and establishments.

This year, 2010, a total of 152 beaches have received the quality certification (29% more than last year). These beaches belong to 79 local council areas in the nine Autonomous Regions of Spain where the scheme is operated: Andalusia, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Galicia, Melilla, Murcia and the Region of Valencia.

The Autonomous Region of Andalusia was the region to receive the most awards, with 53 beaches receiving the “Q” Flag, followed by the Region of Valencia with 39, Murcia with 21 and Catalonia with 17.

Since the “Q for Quality” Flags were first awarded to beaches in 2004, when there was a total of 13, to date, the number of flags has multiplied by more than eleven to reach the 152 awarded today. With this notable increase in the number of beaches receiving recognition of the highest level of quality, Spain consolidates its position as a world leader in the holiday tourism segment.

The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade undertakes intense work to diversify and improve the quality of the tourism offer in Spain. Initiatives are being implemented in favour of cultural tourism, gastronomy tourism, nature tourism and urban tourism. The aim is to provide a diverse enough offer to enable the traditional seasonality in tourist flow to be overcome.

Forming part of this constant commitment to quality is the Spanish Tourism Plan “Horizon 2020” that, with agreement from the Government and the Autonomous Regions, as well as the business sector, has prepared the groundwork for achieving greater tourism competitiveness.

Tags: Andalusia, Beach, Clean, Propertyportal