Alejandro Marichal: “This new addition demonstrates that the maintenance and good management carried out by the Department of Tourism and Beaches are improving our destination and benefiting our residents.”
Yilenia Vega: “Today the entire tourist coast of Maspalomas Costa Canaria has Blue Flag status, an achievement that benefits both those who visit us and those who enjoy our beaches throughout the year.”
The San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council 's Department of Beaches held the official Blue Flag raising ceremony this Wednesday at Las Burras beach , a coastal enclave receiving this prestigious distinction for the first time. This recognition certifies compliance with the highest international standards in quality , safety , accessibility , services, environmental management, and bathing water excellence, solidifying Las Burras as a benchmark within the Maspalomas Costa Canaria tourist coastline.
The Blue Flag distinction is awarded by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) , within an international program present in 51 countries. This award guarantees that beaches meet demanding criteria related to water quality, safety, universal accessibility, and environmental management.
Institutional participation in the official flag-raising ceremony
The event was attended by the Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez; the Councillor for Tourism and Beaches, Yilenia Vega; and the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal. They all highlighted the effort made to improve the quality of the municipal coastline and maintain Maspalomas Costa Canaria as one of the most important tourist destinations in the Canary Islands.
With the addition of Las Burras, the entire tourist coastline of the municipality now boasts Blue Flag status. This consolidates San Bartolomé de Tirajana as one of the leading destinations on the Canary Islands coast and strengthens its image among national and international visitors.
Statements on the importance of the Blue Flag distinction
Yilenia Vega emphasized that “today is a very important day because Las Burras is joining the Blue Flag beach network for the first time, and we have achieved this international distinction for our entire coastline. It is a recognition of the constant work to offer more accessible, sustainable beaches with better services . ”
Vega added that “the Blue Flag is not just a summer symbol; it signifies passing a rigorous international evaluation that analyzes key aspects such as water quality, environmental management, safety, and user information. It is a guarantee for both residents and those visiting Maspalomas Costa Canaria during their holidays . ”
For his part, Alejandro Marichal emphasized that “Maspalomas Costa Canaria competes with the best European tourist destinations thanks in part to our beaches. Each Blue Flag reinforces our international image and inspires confidence in the millions who choose us every year .” He also highlighted that “the addition of Las Burras demonstrates how investment and good management improve our destination, also benefiting our neighbors.”
Blue Flag in San Bartolomé de Tirajana: consolidating tourism leadership
San Bartolomé de Tirajana maintains five Blue Flag beaches this year . Along with the addition of Las Burras, Playa del Inglés , Maspalomas , Meloneras , and San Agustín have renewed their distinction , consolidating the municipality's position as having the highest number of Blue Flags on the Gran Canaria coastline and as one of the Canary Islands' most prominent tourist destinations.
The mayor, Marco Aurelio Pérez, pointed out that these distinctions mean that Maspalomas Costa Canaria continues to strive for excellence, offering a quality tourist destination where we remain an international benchmark.
Furthermore, the municipality also maintains the Blue Flag at the Pasito Blanco Marina , where the official raising of the flag took place following the ceremony held in Las Burras. Francisco Torres, director of the Pasito Blanco Marina, participated in the event and emphasized that renewing the Blue Flag for another year is the result of a daily commitment to sustainability, quality of service, and respect for the marine environment. This recognition motivates us to continue improving and consolidating Pasito Blanco as a leading marina in the Canary Islands.
Blue Centers and environmental education in Maspalomas Costa Canaria
The municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has further enhanced its accolades by receiving two Blue Center awards from ADEAC: the Tony Gallardo Park Educational Classroom – Maspalomas Oasis Reserve and the Interpretation Center of the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve. Both centers have been recognized for their work in environmental education and dissemination of the natural values of the coastline, thus reinforcing the municipality's commitment to sustainability and ecological awareness.
Blue Flag: an international distinction for beaches and marinas
The Blue Flag is the leading international award certifying the quality of beaches and marinas. To obtain it, it is essential to meet rigorous criteria related to water quality , safety, universal accessibility, environmental management, environmental education, and the services offered to users. This year, Spain has consolidated its position as the world leader in the Blue Flag program with 677 awarded beaches, including Las Burras, which has received this recognition for the first time.
The Department of Beaches will continue working to maintain these high standards of quality and promote new initiatives that will help preserve the Maspalomas Costa Canaria coastline as one of the most highly regarded coastal areas in the Canary Islands. The goal is to continue moving towards a model based on sustainability, tourism excellence, and the care of the natural environment.
