A meeting point for golden sands, azure skies and the deep blue sea, Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya holds the world record for having the highest number of 'Blue Flag' certified beaches across the world.
Antalya has 197 beaches and six marinas awarded with Blue Flag, a voluntary eco-label issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches and marinas with high water quality, cleanliness and environmental standards.
Antalya's regional Blue Flag coordinator Lokman Atasoy told AA that the city's aim was to sustain the quality of the certified beaches and increase the number of beaches that deserve a Blue Flag.
"Tourists visiting Turkey care more and more about the water quality and eco-friendly beaches," he said, adding the Blue Flag had an increasing role in the preferences of tourists.
"In recent years, tour companies also ask for the Blue Flag. It is not enough to claim that the water is clean; you have to prove it."
All Blue Flags are awarded for one season at a time. If the criteria are not fulfilled during the season or the conditions change, the Blue Flag may be withdrawn.
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