≡-Greece Demotes Multiple Coastal Destinations From Blue Flag List Including Popular Beaches In Crete, The Peloponnese, Epirus, Rodopi, And Skiathos After Failing Key International Criteria – Viral of Today

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Home » TOURISM NEWS » Greece Demotes Multiple Coastal Destinations From Blue Flag List Including Popular Beaches In Crete, The Peloponnese, Epirus, Rodopi, And Skiathos After Failing Key International Criteria Friday, August 1, 2025Greece has officially revoked the internationally recognized Blue Flag certification from twelve beaches located across key regions including Crete, the Peloponnese (Argolida), Epirus (Preveza), the Sporades Islands (Skiathos), and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Rodopi), after surprise inspections revealed significant failures in meeting essential safety, environmental, accessibility, and operational standards required for the 2025 season. The decision, announced by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), came in response to widespread deficiencies such as lack of lifeguard presence, poor facilities for people with disabilities, inadequate cleanliness, and limited environmental information, all of which violated the strict criteria of the global Blue Flag eco-label program.Twelve Beaches Across Greece Lose Blue Flag Certification Over Environmental and Management FailuresTwelve beaches in Greece have officially lost their Blue Flag certification for the 2025 season after failing to comply with essential environmental, operational, and safety standards. The decision was confirmed by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), which manages the internationally recognized eco-label program within Greece.The affected beaches are located in several key tourist regions including Argolida in the Peloponnese, Chania on the island of Crete, and multiple popular shorelines on the island of Skiathos. This revocation follows surprise on-site inspections carried out by national and international experts earlier this year, which revealed that the beaches in question did not meet the Blue Flag program’s core criteria.The Blue Flag is a globally recognized certification that honors beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism operators that uphold high standards of water quality, safety, accessibility, environmental education, and coastal management. Losing the certification can directly impact a destination’s appeal to eco-conscious travelers and international tour operators who prioritize sustainability credentials.Multiple Compliance Failures IdentifiedDuring the unannounced inspections, EEPF evaluators noted a variety of non-compliance issues across the twelve beaches. Among the most common were:Poor accessibility and lack of facilities for individuals with disabilitiesInsufficient or absent safety infrastructure, such as lifeguard services and signageInadequate cleanliness and beach maintenanceAbsence of required environmental information for the publicFailure to preserve free public access to parts of the coastlineThese deficiencies indicated a systemic lack of preparedness for the 2025 bathing season on the part of local beach management authorities. In many cases, the required upgrades and maintenance actions had not been implemented, leading to the withdrawal of Blue Flag status.List of Beaches That Lost Blue Flag CertificationThe following beaches have had their Blue Flag status revoked for the 2025 season:Argolida, Peloponnese: Plaka, Kondyli, Karathonas, ToloPreveza, Epirus: LychnosChania, Crete: Georgioupoli/FerenikiSkiathos, Sporades Islands: Vasilias, Kanapitsa, Asselinos, Gournes Elia, Ambelakia/EliviRodopi, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: Fanari/CampingThese beaches, many of which are frequented by both domestic and foreign travelers during peak summer months, will no longer be permitted to fly the Blue Flag in the upcoming season.Water Quality Remains High Despite Loss of CertificationAlthough these beaches no longer qualify for the Blue Flag designation due to shortcomings in services and infrastructure, the EEPF clarified that the seawater quality at all twelve locations remains excellent. The revocation of certification is not connected to pollution or contamination issues but rather to operational failures in complying with the full scope of Blue Flag criteria.This distinction is important for visitors, who may still choose to visit these areas but should be aware that other critical factors—such as lifeguard presence, accessibility, or information services—may not meet internationally expected standards.What is the Blue Flag Program?The Blue Flag program is one of the most respected voluntary environmental awards globally. It was established in 1985 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and operates in over 50 countries. To qualify for the Blue Flag, beaches must meet and maintain more than thirty strict criteria across four main categories:Water Quality: Clean and tested water free from pollutantsEnvironmental Management: Regular maintenance, waste control, and sustainable infrastructureSafety and Services: Lifeguards, safety equipment, and facilities for all usersEnvironmental Education: Information boards and programs promoting environmental awarenessIn Greece, the program is overseen by the EEPF, which ensures the criteria are adapted to local conditions while still adhering to the global standards set by the FEE.Greece consistently ranks among the top three countries in the world for Blue Flag-certified beaches, reflecting the country’s dependence on coastal tourism and its longstanding effort to balance tourism growth with environmental protection.Ongoing Monitoring and Future ConsequencesThe EEPF emphasized that inspections are ongoing and that additional beaches may face similar revocations if improvements are not made. The organization urged municipalities, private beach operators, and regional tourism bodies to prioritize investments in maintenance, accessibility, and safety in order to maintain or regain Blue Flag status in the future.The loss of certification serves as a reminder that Blue Flag is not a permanent award—it must be renewed annually and can be rescinded if the beach fails to meet the necessary standards during any given season.Impact on Tourism and Coastal ManagementWhile the removal of Blue Flag status does not make a beach unsafe or unusable, it can influence visitor perception and booking decisions, especially among international tourists who associate the certification with quality and trust. It also highlights a broader issue facing many coastal destinations: the challenge of sustaining high levels of service and ecological protection while coping with increasing visitor numbers, seasonal pressures, and budget constraints.The decision to revoke certification from these twelve beaches underscores the importance of responsible tourism management, long-term investment in infrastructure, and adherence to international best practices in beach conservation.Greece has revoked Blue Flag status from twelve beaches across Crete, Peloponnese, Epirus, Skiathos, and Rodopi after surprise inspections uncovered major failures in safety, accessibility, and environmental standards. The withdrawn certifications reflect non-compliance with key international criteria ahead of the 2025 tourist season.With Greece expecting another strong tourism year in 2025, authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure that environmental quality and visitor safety remain a top priority across all coastal zones.

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