Costa Rica Blue Flag Awards: Camaronal and Punta Islita

58 beaches have been awarded: ICT RAISES BLUE FLAG AT CAMARONAL AND PUNTA ISLITA

This morning, the representatives of the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) and the leaders of the Costa Rican tourism industry and the community of Punta Islita gathered to wave the Ecological Blue Flag at the beaches of Punta Islita and Camaronal.

Both beaches obtained the “A” score. This means that they comply with the adequate parameters to guarantee the quality of the sea water and water for human consumption, the quality of the coasts regarding the management of solid wastes, industrial wastes and treatment of residual waters, along with security and administration, as well as environmental education.

This is the first year that the Camaronal beach has been involved in the Ecological Blue Flag Program. On the other side, Punta Islita has been participating with a successful outcome since the year 1999.

Carlos Ricardo Benavides, Minister of Tourism, seemed very pleased by the efforts that communities and private enterprises are carrying out to maintain the sustainability of the coast and natural resources of the environment.

“I am very pleased by the positive results that the joint efforts of this community and hotel have achieved in order to maintain the surrounding natural resources through the application of an environmental conservation plan as part of the Blue Flag Program,” stated Benavides.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of carrying out actions within the Ecological Blue Flag Program (BAE) and the Tourism Sustainability Certificate (CST) that Punta Islita has promoted. In fact, this effort has achieved international acknowledgement regarding sustainable tourism.

Currently, 58 beaches in the whole country, out of the 84 that participated in the ranking process during 2006, have achieved the privilege to wave the Ecological Blue Flag. Moreover, 29 communities and 164 educational centers are also part of the program.