WIREDGOV

In the week official figures confirmed that 2014 was a record-breaking year for tourism in Wales, Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant has welcomed the news that over 170 Welsh beaches are ranked among the best in the UK and across the world.

At the Keep Wales Tidy's Wales Coast Awards 2015, 42 beaches and marinas across Wales were awarded the international Blue Flag Award, 30 beaches successfully obtained the Green Coast Award and a further 101 sites gained a Seaside Award for their good water quality and facilities.

The awards also come as the 2015 bathing water season officially begins. Last year, of the 102 designated bathing waters in Wales, 90 met the higher Guideline standard, with the others all achieving the Mandatory European standard making these the best results in the UK.

Carl Sargeant, Minister for Natural Resources said:

"Last summer's results demonstrate the high standard of Welsh bathing water quality which is helping to boost the number of visitors that come to enjoy our fantastic coastline. With the bank holiday weekend fast approaching I hope even more people from across and beyond Wales come and visit our beautiful beaches and enjoy their cleanliness, safety and excellent facilities."

Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales said:

"Our beaches are amongst the best in the world, and we're proud of the years of hard work which have helped make them what they are today. They provide us with opportunities to unwind and enjoy with friends and family, drawing in visitors to Wales and making an important contribution to our economy. They are also home to many species of unique and wonderful wildlife.

"We're dedicated to maintaining and further improving our beaches and our water quality so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations."

Zoe Abbott, Senior Coast Officer for Keep Wales Tidy said:

"The fact that Wales has been awarded eight more international Blue Flag Awards this year compared to 2014 is testament to the hard work that organisations, beach managers and volunteers carry out all year round to maintain and improve the quality of our water, as well as the high standard of facilities and cleanliness of our beaches. Wales has some of the best beaches in the world and we want to continue to work with communities to educate, inform and involve them in caring for the Welsh coastline so that everyone can be part of it and enjoy it."

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