Humewood continues waving the blue flag

HUMEWOOD beach is keeping its flags at full mast this summer after it became the first beach in South Africa to receive Blue Flag status for 10 consecutive years.

The prestigious Blue Flag status has been awarded to beaches in South Africa for the past decade. It was announced yesterday at a function held in Mosselbay that Humewood Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay became the first beach in the country to have received the award every year.

“The blue flag is the gold standard for beaches around the world and cities aspire to this status, because if their beaches receive it, it plays a vital role in attracting tourists. The city of Port Elizabeth has set a new record for blue flag beach status after the latest awards,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality portfolio chairperson for sports, recreation, arts and culture, Cllr Maria Hermans.

Tourism officials have come out in praise of the beach and its consistent ability to meet the tough Blue Flag criteria.

“We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country,” said Titus Chuene, marketing manager of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. “But this international stamp of approval means a lot because local and foreign tourists can rest assured that if they visit a Blue Flag beach they can expect a stretch of sand and surf that adheres to international safety and other tourist standards.

“We hope that next year more of the Bay’s beaches will regain or gain their Blue Flag status. But we laud the efforts of the Beach Office and those involved in maintaining the beaches for their best efforts.”

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3450 beaches and marinas in 41 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

Some 27 beaches in 11 municipalities were accredited with Blue Flag status at the Mosselbay function.

Author: Amy Shelver