AS the holiday season reaches full swing, tourism in Gwynedd has received a huge boost, with three beaches receiving international recognition for their cleanliness. Abersoch and Abermaw will be proudly displaying the European Blue Flag after passing strict tests on bathing water, water management and visitorfacilities. Pwllheli regained the award having failed to meet the standards in 2001. Marina facilities at Caernarfon's Victoria Dock and Pwllheli's Hafan also won awards. The Blue Flag has become the definitive international measure of beaches and marinas since it began in 1987. It is a highly effective monitoring system which measures everything from accessibility for disabled visitors to the number of litter bins provided. Bathing water must be clean enough to achieve the standard defined by European law. All awards winners are allowed to fly the Blue Flag during the bathing season and must display their water quality and the facilities they provide on easy to read signs on the beach. The Porth Neigwl area also received a Green Coast award for meeting specific criteria for rural areas. This scheme aims to recognise locations of unspoilt beauty. Cllr Bryan Evans who leads on leisure matters in Gwynedd said: "Some of the country's best beaches are here in Gwynedd and this gives the area a boost. A lot of time and money is invested to keep theses beaches at their best and to ensure that they are maintained to the highest standards." | 
Article
