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Greece gains more Blue Flag beaches

The number of beaches in Greece awarded Blue Flags has risen to 408 this year from 379 in 2013.

Blue Flags are awarded season by season by eco-management body the Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches that have a high standard of water quality, safety, services, environmental education and management, with each beach judged on 32 strict criteria.

Greece gained the second highest number of flags of the 51 countries participating in the programme this year.

The improvement came as Greek tourism officials predict a record 18.5 million tourist arrivals this year – excluding cruise ship passengers – generating €13 billion in revenue.

Newly-released figures show that arrivals at the country’s main airports rose by 30.1% in the first quarter of the year over the same period in 2013.

Athens airport alone saw a 36.1% jump in arrivals, a figure helped by the addition of 700,000 flights to the Greek capital for the whole of 2014.

Iossif Parsalis, managing director of independent non-profit organisation Marketing Greece, said: “Greece has the 11th-longest coastline in the world and countless gorgeous beaches with waters in all shades of blue and green lapping volcanic rock formations, golden sands and smooth pebbles.

“Whether you’re looking for a romantic secluded cove, a family-friendly sandy beach, an exclusive marina or an active coastal adventure, Greece has a coast to suit your taste and interests.”

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