Blue Flag Beaches: Economic Growth, Tourism and Sustainable Management (Earthscan Studies in Natural Resource Management)

This book presents a comprehensive study of the role that the Blue Flag beach program has played all over the world, making an allowance for economic, social and environmental perspectives.

Since its creation in the 1980s, The Blue Flag program awards the management of beaches and marinas based on sustainability, products and services and quality of their management. Thus far there are currently just about five thousand awards all over the world. Forty years on from the program’s creation, this book provides a thorough evaluation of the program, to bear in mind how it has evolved over the years, the successes it has enjoyed and the challenges it has overcome, and may face sooner or later. As an international program, this book reflects the global nature of this program and actively discusses, examines and assesses the different realities and challenges faced by different countries all over the world, drawing on case studies from across Europe, North The us, Latin The us, Africa and Asia. It examines the have an effect on of the award on economic growth, from local to national, environmental protection and education, the development of sustainable tourism, and the sustainable management of beaches. The volume also contributes to emerging debates surrounding the certification of natural resources, where the Blue Flag program has been a pioneer in this field.

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainable tourism, environmental economics, coastal and beach management, environmental conservation and sustainable development.