The Turkish National Blue Flag Award Ceremony for the 2020 season was held on the 17th July on Cesme Ilica Public Beach, located in the region of Izmir, Turkey.
Photo ©: Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s media
The Blue Flag award is widely recognised in Turkey. Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy participated to the ceremony and highlighted during his speech the importance of the Blue Flag award for Turkish beaches: "The Ministry gives a strong importance to Blue Flag and is working hard to increase the number of awarded beaches among the country”.
Photo ©: Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s media
The Minister also underlined the commitment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to providing more information and education to the travel industry and municipalities in order to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism. Finally, an extensive development plan has been announced to develop the country’s beach facilities and improve treatment plants - key criteria to receive the Blue Flag award.
Photo ©: Mr. Orkun Kalonya from Cesme Municipality
In total for the 2020 season, 508 sites in Turkey are Blue Flag awarded - 486 beaches and 22 marinas.