Abu Dhabi Beaches to raise the Blue Flag

Abu Dhabi, June 13, 2011 (WAM) - The Abu Dhabi Municipality yesterday celebrated the granting Abu Dhabi the right to hoist the Blue Flag for beaches and marines as the first Capital in the GCC to get to meet all the requirements of this international programme. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Director General of the municipality said the accreditation of the Abu Dhabi Beaches "reflects success of the civic body to make the Abu Dhabi Corniche a tourist attraction place, aesthetic venue and world class entertainment venue with all services and means of comfort." The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. The Blue Flag Programme includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators. - Emirates News Agency, WAM