June 8, 2020 - The first Blue Flag in Montenegro for 2020 flew today at the Tivat beach "Kalardovo," ceremoniously raised by the Director of the National Tourist Organization, Željka Radak Kukavičić.
This year, the Blue Flag was awarded for a total of 32 bathing areas and one marina. This number is a recognition, both to leaseholders and to the Public Company for Management of Marine Assets of Montenegro in achieving internationally recognized standards in the organization of bathing areas.
As the "Blue Flag in Montenegro" Program takes place on two levels, before a beach or marina becomes a member of this prestigious club, it must pass the pilot phase, which lasts two years. Ten bathing areas have been registered for this phase in 2020, and flags and certificates can be picked up by leaseholders of bathing areas in the premises of the Public Company for Management of Marine Assets of Montenegro in Budva and at branches in other coastal cities.
Today's ceremony was also attended by the Director of the Public Company for Marine Management Predrag Jelusic, the Director of the NGO "Ekom" Sasa Karajovic, the Director of TO Tivat Danica Ćeranić, representatives of the Service for Sustainable Development of Marine Property and media representatives.
The number of Blue Flags on Montenegrin beaches has been increasing from year to year, thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of patrons and leaseholders. The Blue Flag program has been implemented in Montenegro since 2003 when the NGO "EKOM" became an associate member of the Foundation for Environmental Education and thus gained the right to be the National Operator for Montenegro. JP Morsko Dobro immediately recognized the importance of the Blue Flag and, from the very beginning, became the general sponsor and patron of the Program, which is one of the most important activities related to the responsible management of the coast and beaches.
The Blue Flag is an internationally accepted and recognizable symbol of high standards in tourism and environmental protection awarded to beaches and marinas that meet 32 program criteria in four areas. A bathing area gains its Blue Flag label based on seawater quality, beach services and safety, environmental standards, and education and awareness-raising among the public about the ecological values of the sea and the coast.
The Blue Flag is awarded for the current season. It is based on the results from the previous one, which is judged by the National Commission consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Public Company Morsko Dobro, Red Cross of Montenegro, Port Authority, and environmental NGOs.
Based on the National Commission proposal, the Blue Flags are awarded to beaches every year by the International Jury in Copenhagen. The members of the international jury are representatives of renowned institutions such as the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the International Rescue Organization (ILS), the UN Environment Program, the International Marine Association (ICOMIA) and others.
