Record number of Blue Flags in Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal’s coastlines are looking even more inviting this summer, with a record number receiving Blue Flag awards for the quality of their beaches.

With a world record 577 Blue Flags awarded to Spanish beaches last year – beating their own record of 573 in 2014 – the country hosts the world’s most pristine beaches. This year has proved no different, with Spain retaining its top spot and adding another nine Blue Flag beaches to its ever-growing roster.

Leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España is delighted with the results and have witnessed a surge of interest in seafront properties accompanying the Blue Flag announcement.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing director, said: “We were very excited to hear that Spain has maintained its beach rankings as the best in the world. With the gorgeous Calpe, Alfás del Pi, El Campello and San Juan beaches keeping their Blue Flag status for the past 30 years, it was no surprise to us that the demand for beachfront properties have skyrocketed.”

With one in five Spanish beaches flying a Blue Flag this year, the demand for beachfront properties is on the rise – for the whole-ownership market as well as at timeshare and fractional properties.

The Algarve region in southern Portugal has also been awarded 88 Blue Flags this year, an increase of three since 2015. The new Flags were awarded to Armona-Ria in Olhão, Rocha Baixinha in Albufeira and Amoreira Mar in Aljezur.

Representing around 45 per cent of Portugal’s tourism earnings, the Algarve is a beloved beach holiday destination that appeals to many second-home and timeshare customers and the recent Blue Flag awards are set to attract further investments this summer.

The Blue Flag awards are announced each year worldwide by the Foundation for Environmental Education across almost 50 countries. Attaining Blue Flag status is seen as the gold standard for beaches, which are judged on four categories: water quality, safety and services, environmental management, and environmental education and information.