The municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia has secured 18 out of 66 Blue Flag awards granted across Cyprus, making it the top performer in the island-wide ceremony held at the renowned Fig Tree Bay beach in Protaras on Wednesday.
The awarded beaches include Armyropigado, Lombardi, Glyky Nero, Kapparis, Skoutarospilioi, Agia Triada, Minas, Vrysousia, Louma, Pernera, Potami, Vrysi C, Vrysi B, Vrysi A, Protaras (Fig Tree Bay), Vyzakia, Nisia and Nisia Gardens.
The municipality’s achievement demonstrates the quality of its swimming areas and services provided to bathers. Konnos beach, which falls 80% within Paralimni-Deryneia’s municipal boundaries, also received a Blue Flag award but was granted to Ayia Napa municipality.
Mayor Giorgos Nikolettos highlighted the municipality’s efforts and significant investment in continuously upgrading visitor services. He called on the government to provide greater support to local authorities through additional lifeguard staffing for beach safety.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development congratulated local authorities and emphasised the ministry’s ongoing efforts for sustainable development.
The Blue Flag is an international scheme promoting environmental awareness, awarded to beaches meeting assessment criteria for swimming water cleanliness.
It represents the world’s most recognisable ecological quality symbol, rewarding organised beaches under strict criteria.
The programme recognises beaches achieving high environmental quality standards.
Exceptional swimming water quality is essential for Blue Flag status, alongside 33 other assessment criteria for beaches and 38 for marinas, certifying bather safety, visitor information, cleanliness, coastal area organisation, natural heritage protection and environmental awareness promotion.
