US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

Congratulations to Blue Flag USVI on five successful years of promoting and observing International Blue Flag standards. Blue Flag certified beaches and marinas for the 2015-2016 season include: Emerald Beach in Lindbergh Bay; Great Bay at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; Crown Bay Marina; the Palms at Pelican Cove; and Green Cay Marina at the Tamarind Reef Resort.

The Blue Flag eco-label initiative is a voluntary quality program for beaches and marinas run by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Recognized in 49 countries, the program operates within the context of improving the environmental quality of beaches and marinas and the management of coastal areas in a holistic way. It is a system that does not curtail recreation and tourism in the coastal area, but rather deals with it through a wide range of subjects, activities and users that have direct and indirect interactions with the coastal environment.

To attain Blue Flag status, beaches and marinas have to comply with 32 strict criteria concerning environmental information and education, safety and service facilities, environmental management and water quality. https://usvihta.com/usvihta-congratulates-blue-flag-on-five-years/The main objectives of the Blue Flag program are to improve understanding of the coastal environment and to promote the incorporation of environmental issues in the decision-making processes of local authorities and their partners.

The Blue Flag program unites stakeholders in the sustainable management and development of marinas and beaches, particularly from the tourism and environmental sectors, and at local and national levels. Visit blueflagusvi.org for more information.