Kenya: Beaches Seek Global Recognition
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Business Daily (Nairobi)
17 March 2008
Posted to the web 17 March 2008
Solomon Mburu
Kenya's beaches are seeking international certification to enable them measure up to competitors in other countries.
Ecotourism Kenya, which is leading the initiative, says the mark would help improve beach management and raise overall standards.
The organisation is looking at winning a Blue Flag certification, becoming the third country in Africa to do so after South Africa and Morocco.
"We want to see some of Kenya's beaches certified with the Blue Flag," said Ms Judy Gona, the chief executive of Ecotourism Kenya.
Stakeholders in beach tourism will be meeting next month to discuss steps towards acquiring the Blue Flag certification.
Blue Flag is an international voluntary certification scheme for beaches and marinas operating mainly in Europe. Other countries outside Europe with the certification include Jamaica, Chile and Canada.
The Blue Flag has become a European symbol of coastal environmental quality and is sought by local authorities for the status it confers upon them and the attraction it has for beach tourists.
Tourists, mainly from Europe, see the mark as a guarantee of quality and safety.
The certification is offered by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE).
Under the Blue Flag award system, beaches seeking certification must comply with proper bathing water quality, which means that no industrial or sewerage pollution is allowed.
The beaches also must have beach management committees for environmental management and regular audits.
Under the environmental requirements, the beach must be cleaned with waste disposal bins, proper sanitation facilities and controlled sewage disposal.
To get certification, a beach should have lifeguards, first aid equipment and safe access.
The beach area must also have enough supply of portable drinking water and must have a map indicating different facilities in the beach.
This brings into sharp focus the state of Kenya's public beaches, which are neglected and lack basic facilities.
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"Civic bodies must make commitments on drainage and beach management so as to acquire the Blue Flag certification," said Ms Gona.
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