L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS the effective treatment of wastewater, comprehensive waste management, and good recycling programs. Safety and services provided at the beaches are also thoroughly a s s e s s e d : a d e q u a t e l i f e - guards, first aid facilities, and accessibility for people with disabilities are mandatory. Moreover, the Blue Flag program emphasizes sustain- ability, which has long-term benefits for tourism: by main- taining high environmental standards, Blue Flag beaches ensure that natural resources are preserved for future gen- erations. This year, a total of 4 8 5 b e a c h e s a c r o s s 2 3 6 municipalities were awarded a Blue Flag, with notable new entries including Porto San- t ' E l p i d i o i n M a r c h e a n d T e n n o i n T r e n t i n o - A l t o Adige. Liguria is the national leader, with 34 Blue Flags: among the locations receiving the award Sanremo, known by many for its Music Festi- val, which every year adds a pop culture note to the town's n a t u r a l b e a u t y . S a n t a M a r g h e r i t a L i g u r e i s a n o t h e r g e m i n L i g u r i a , known for its luxury resorts and proximity to the exclu- sive destination of Portofino: Santa Margherita offers a mix o f u p s c a l e a m e n i t i e s a n d stunning coastal views, with historic villas, gardens, and a beautiful harbor where it is easy to see luxurious yachts sailing by. Following closely Liguria in the 2024 Blue Flag list are Puglia and Campania, each with 24 Blue Flags. While everyone is familiar with the charming Costiera Amalfi- tana — itself boasting several Blue Flags, including Posi- tano, Amalfi, and Maiori — Puglia's coastline is perhaps l e s s g l o b a l l y , b u t e q u a l l y beautiful. Among the most iconic locations with a Blue F l a g , w e c a n m e n t i o n t h e Tremiti Islands, renowned for their natural reserve with underwater caves and rich marine life, which offer amaz- i n g d i v i n g e x p e r i e n c e s . Puglia's own commitment to maintaining the beauty and c l e a n l i n e s s o f i t s b e a c h e s made it a popular destination for both Italian and interna- tional tourists. Of course, the region also offers historic towns, delicious cuisine, and a r i c h c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e , which adds up to its beauty and appeal. C h a r m i n g T u s c a n y i s third with its 18 Blue Flags, the most famous of which is perhaps Forte dei Marmi, known for its beach clubs and exclusive nightlife, but also for its cultural heritage, including the iconic pier that extends into the sea, from where you can enjoy stun- ning views of the Apuan Alps. The beaches here are popular among celebrities, reason for which chic boutiques and high-end gourmet dining are common along the town's streets. Sardinia and Sicily also made significant strides, with Sardinia receiving 15 Blue Flags and Sicily 14, but the region that perhaps surprises a little in this list is Trenti- n o - A l t o A d i g e , w h i c h received 12 Blue Flags for its lakes, as not many associate beach-based vacations with the mountains. Indeed, the Blue Flag program also rec- ognizes lake beaches that meet the same high stan- dards of environmental qual- i t y a n d s a f e t y . I n 2 0 2 4 , besides locations in Trenti- no-Alto-Adige, notable Blue F l a g w e n t t o S i r m i o n e i n Veneto and Gardone Riviera, in Lombardia. Some towns did not retain their status: Ameglia in Lig- u r i a a n d M a r g h e r i t a d i Savoia in Puglia, for instance, were among the four munici- palities that lost their Blue Flag status this year due to not meeting the stringent cri- teria set by the FEE. Having a Blue Flag can significantly boost tourism and the local economy in several impactful ways. This prestigious recognition not only attracts tourists but also drives economic benefits for the awarded municipalities. Beaches with Blue Flags are often preferred by tourists who seek clean, safe, and well-managed environments. T h i s p r e f e r e n c e l e a d s t o increased visitor numbers, particularly among eco-con- scious travelers. For exam- ple, a study conducted by the European Commission found that beaches with Blue Flags can see up to a 20% increase in tourist visits compared to non-Blue Flag beaches. This influx of tourists translates to higher spending in local busi- n e s s e s , s u c h a s h o t e l s , r e s t a u r a n t s , a n d s h o p s , boosting the local economy. If the environmental value of a Blue Flag award is quite self-explanatory, when con- sidering the parameters to be met to obtain it, it is also interesting to look deeper into how this recognition can be a powerful marketing tool, helping municipalities and beach resorts to stand out in an increasingly competitive t o u r i s m m a r k e t . T h e improved reputation brought by a Blue Flag certification can attract not only more tourists but also potential investors looking for high- quality, sustainable destina- tions, which is particularly significant in a tourism mar- ket more and more interest- ed in environment-friendly and sustainable options. A s t u d y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e European Commission found that beaches with Blue Flags can see up to a 20% increase in tourist visits com- p a r e d t o n o n - B l u e F l a g beaches, an influx that trans- lates to higher spending in l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s , s u c h a s h o t e l s , r e s t a u r a n t s , a n d shops, and offers a substan- tial boost the local economy. But there is more because m u n i c i p a l i t i e s w i t h B l u e Flags often experience a rise in property values: clean, safe, and well-maintained beaches make the surround- ing areas more desirable for both residential and com- mercial investments, with real estate studies showing that properties near Blue Flag beaches do tend to com- mand higher prices, benefit- ing homeowners and increas- ing municipal tax revenues. The recognition can also spur new business oppor- tunities in the tourism and h o s p i t a l i t y s e c t o r s . W i t h more tourists, there is a high- er demand for accommoda- tion, dining, and recreational a c t i v i t i e s , w h i c h i n t u r n e n c o u r a g e s t h e g r o w t h o f local businesses, from bou- t i q u e h o t e l s t o b e a c h s i d e c a f é s a n d w a t e r s p o r t s r e n t a l s . T h e i n c r e a s e d tourism activity also creates more seasonal and perma- nent jobs in various sectors, such as hospitality, retail, and environmental management, a v i t a l f a c t o r f o r l o c a l economies. Blue Flags can also inter- s e c t w i t h a n o t h e r m a j o r t h e m e o f 2 0 2 4 , R o o t s Tourism. The example of Santa Maria di Castella- bate, a picturesque seaside village in Cilento, is quintes- sential, as the village not only boasts Blue Flag beaches but is also deeply involved in the Turismo delle Radici initia- tive. Castellabate has been directly involved with the Cilento effort to develop roots tourism, participating in key i n i t i a t i v e s i n c l u d i n g c o n - gresses and conferences. The m a y o r o f C a s t e l l a b a t e , Marco Rizzo, emphasizes the importance of this pro- ject: "Roots Tourism is an ambitious project to be real- ized with planned and strate- gic activities that will require the collaboration and synergy of all the actors in the vast hospitality system. We aim to extend the tourist season t h r o u g h r o o t s t o u r i s m t o make Castellabate an inter- national destination to dis- cover, visit, and love all year round." And so, as Italy gears up for another sunny season, Blue Flag beaches and the country's rich cultural her- itage promise unforgettable experiences for visitors. The n a t i o n ' s c o m m i t m e n t t o maintaining high standards of environmental quality and hospitality is an excellent s i g n o f t h e d i r e c t i o n i n tourism Italy has chosen, and also lies very solid founda- tions for the future of the industry which is bound — and projections, we have seen it, already predict it — to grow exponentially in the future. A study conducted by the European Commission found that beaches with Blue Flags can see up to a 20% increase in tourist visits, an influx that translates to higher spending in local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and shops CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 The colorful beaches of Santa Maria di Castellabbate, a Blue Flag village, which is also involved in the Roots Tourism ini- tiative (Photo: Andrew Mayaovskyy/Shutterstock)

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