To receive a "Q" for Tourism Quality Flag, installations need to pass an audit that guarantees the quality, safety, rigorous methods and professional nature of the management and services they offer. Among other criteria, these audits examine public equipment, cleaning and selective waste collection services, safety, rescue and first aid equipment, information services, bathing area access, hygiene services and services provided by leisure companies.
Presentation of the 'Q for Quality Flags'
This year, the flags were awarded to a total of 236 beaches - in 10 autonomous regions and one autonomous city - and 19 marinas in three autonomous regions.
Andalusia continues to be the region with the most certified beaches (85), followed by the Region of Valencia (46) and Murcia (37).
The Balearic Islands and Galicia have 18, Catalonia has 12, Cantabria has 10, Asturias has six, Ceuta has two, and the Canary Islands and the Basque Country each have one.
The number of certified beaches has steadily increased from 72 in 2008 to 236 this year. The same has occurred with the number of certified marinas, which has risen from two in 2011 to 19 this year.
The State Secretary for Tourism, Matilde Asián, recalled that Spain leads the world in tourism competitiveness due, among other reasons, to a quality offer focused on excellent services and infrastructures. Matilde Asián stressed that these awards reward those beaches and marinas that consolidate this offer.
