Nessebar, on the Black Sea, June 24 (BTA) - This summer, the beaches Sunny Beach
North and South, Harmanite, Sozopol Central, Nessebar South and
Pomorie East are flying the Blue Flag: the symbol of the
prestigious international certificate. Kiril Spasov, who manages
 the six sites, told BTA about the certificate and called on the
 entire branch to do their best to achieve the beach standards
for the Blue Flag award.

The Blue Flag programme allows beaches to compare management
policies against international standards, and compete among each
 other. To qualify for the prestigious award, a beach must
satisfy and maintain a series of environmental, educational,
safety and accessibility criteria. A special team of experts has
 inspected the six Bulgarian sites and found that they meet all
32 international criteria for hygiene, services, comfort and
safety of the guests.

One of the major criteria for a Blue Flag award is cleanness.
The purity of the seawater is tested twice a month. Beaches must
 be easily accessible to disabled people, and disinfected
against the spread of COVID-19 on a regular basis. Spasov said
that concession terms are very strict, and all contractors are
constantly subject to checks. According to him, the requirements
 for water attractions are also very exacting, all jet skis are
equipped with special control devices to avoid collisions, and
all parakiters are tied to boats with winches.

Spasov also told BTA that foreign tourists are impressed by the
Blue Flag and even take pictures with it. "It is an award that
certifies the beach is clean. Tourists look for it, and
operators advertise it."

Sunny Beach

The Sunny Beach resort is located 36 km north of Burgas and
about 90 km south of Varna, and it borders with the town of
Nessebar to the north. It is a small bay facing east, protected
by the foothills of the Balkan Range. The resort boasts a long
beach strip with fine golden sand, natural sand dunes and a
clean and even seafloor. The area features high waves, and the
seawater remains warm until mid-September. The average
temperature in the summer is 27C.
  
Sunny Beach is a preferred destination for young people from the
 entire world. The resort has numerous disco clubs, bars,
restaurants and music events. It is a top destination also for
its comfortable beachside hotels. Sunny Beach offers various
attractions such as parasailing, wind surf and other water
sports, all done in the proximity of the local rescue station.

Vasya Pavlova, the concessionaire of Sunny Beach Central, the
seventh site awarded the Blue Flag, told BTA that the beach has
met all the criteria for acquiring the prestigious award: it has
 pristine sand, and is accessible to the disabled and enjoyable
for the children.
   
Nessebar

According to Spasov, Nessebar's South Beach has been a Blue Flag
 bearer for the fourth consecutive year. It is the first and
only beach that has applied for a pilot programme. The strip is
broad, covered with fine sand, equipped with beach umbrellas for
 rent, and it is big enough for everyone. Snacks and beverages
are available in the beachside establishments.

Sozopol and Pomorie

The beaches in Sozopol and Pomorie have been flying the Blue
Flag for two years. There are two beaches in Sozopol: Central
and Harmanite. The central strip is spacious and very popular.
The seawater in the bay is shallow and calm, and high waves are
rare.

Pomorie's East Beach is in the southern part of the Pomorie
coast. It is the longest strip in the area, extending as far as
the village of Aheloy, and is very popular. Pomorie East
satisfies all criteria for cleanness and quality of services
provided. It is also used for sports activities and
competitions.

RI/MT