This places it amongst an international list of beaches that carry the sought-after tag.
"It has been shown internationally that a blue flag immediately increases the tourism potential of the successful beaches and towns," said Mr Vernon Gibbs-Halls, the facilitator of the project for the Eden District Municipality.The status was awarded to the beach eastwards from the Touw River mouth.
Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches and they must meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services.
Wilderness councillor, Mr Leon van Wyk said it was an exciting achievement from a tourist point of view. "The George Municipality wants to monitor the cost of maintaining the Blue Flag status, and depending on that will decide whether to apply to obtain Blue Flag status for the western stretch of the beach too," he said.
Gibbs-Halls from Eden Municipality was over the moon, because two other beaches in the municipality's district, Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay, also achieved blue flags.
He said it was the first time that both the Eden and Knysna municipalities have entered the programme. "We are extremely proud to have achieved three blue flags on our first attempt."
Eden Executive Mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen added, "The provisions for this status are very strict and we are proud of the achievement and grateful to everyone who has assisted us towards attaining this goal."
Salinas Restaurant is a generous sponsor of Wilderness Beach and other major collaborators in the effort to achieve the status are Sanparks, Working for the Coast and the George Municipality (by ensuring seasonal lifeguards). Gibbs-Halls said that the Eden Municipality would pursue Blue Flag status for its other beaches, adding that the biggest challenge is to ensure the status of the beaches is retained annually.
"The Blue Flag programme offers many benefits, including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities," said Gibbs-Halls. In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) and they received a pat on the back for their involvement.
South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001. The number of beaches receiving the status increased from 27 in 2011 to 40 this year.
* Die asemrowende Wildernisstrand het verlede week Blouvlag-status gekry. Internasionale besoekertalle wys dat hierdie titel die toerismepotensiaal van 'n strand of dorp onmiddellik 'n hupstoot gee.
At the awards ceremony of the Blue Flag status were (from left) Massimo Mariotti, Environmental Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Vernon Gibbs-Halls of Eden Municipality, Malcolm Powell, chairman of WESSA, and Overstrand Deputy Mayor Pieter Scholtz.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
