T E N E R I F E ’ S F AV O U R I T E B R I T I S H W E E K LY N E W S PA P E R
Issue 713 22 July 2011 - 28 July 2011
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Troya’s Blue Flag puts beach in the pink again THE prestigious Blue Flag, awarded to the Troya beach in Playa de Las Americas earlier this year, was hoisted on Tuesday morning. Rafael Dolado, Adeje’s new Tourism Councillor, along with local businessmen, plus members of the Adeje Civil Protection, performed the Troya I and II ceremony to mark the start of the summer season. This award is given annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) - a non-government, non-profit organisation - to beaches offering high standards of facilities and services to residents and tourists alike, plus cleanliness of both coastal waters and surrounding areas. And the Troya beach, which offers sunbeds, pedal boats, pleasure craft and a host of watersports, also features regular lifeguards. It all added up to Las Americas retaining the Blue Flag for the third year running. In fact, Troya has received the Blue Flag award every year since 1997, barring 2008, which speaks volumes for the care and attention shown by everyone involved in keeping the beach in pristine condition. Three beaches lost their right to fly the flag this year - two up North, and Granadilla’s Leocadio Machado - while six other beaches, including those at El Medano, El Camison and Playa La Arena (Santiago del Teide), were given the nod again. This seal of approval by the FEE to these beaches
means so much to their respective Town Halls. That’s because Tenerife, always mindful of the tourist industry, regards holiday-makers as even more essential to the economy these days following the recession. It also means a lot to holiday-makers, who know they can sunbathe and swim to their hearts’ content, safe in the knowledge that their beaches have again been awarded the ultimate accolade. A delighted Councillor Dolado said: “It is a great pleasure to provide our residents and tourists with a quality beach such as Troya which, so far this summer, is attracting a high concentration of visitors who opt for our natural and recreational facilities.” The Foundation for Environmental Education’s purpose is to benefit the Island at international level, through environmental education and information, international programmes, such as Blue Flag, ecoschools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Forests and Green Key School (Green Key). Adeje’s other beaches, at Playa Fanabe, Playa del Duque and Puerto Colon, failed to win a Blue Flag this year. Fanabe flew one in 2009 and last year, Del Duque had one in 2003, while Puerto Colon was awarded one from 19911997 and from1999-2003. The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3,650 beaches and marinas in 44 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.