Newsroom
The Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia has been recognized as the national leader in coastal excellence, receiving 18 of Cyprus’s 66 Blue Flag awards at the 2025 national ceremony held Wednesday at Fig Tree Bay, Protaras.
The annual Blue Flag awards, overseen by the Foundation for Environmental Education, honor beaches and marinas that meet high standards of water quality, safety, environmental education, and management. This year’s total includes 64 beaches and two marinas across Cyprus.
Among Paralimni’s awarded beaches are Fig Tree Bay, Kapparis, Agia Triada, and Vrysi A, B, and C. Mayor Giorgos Nikolettos emphasized the municipality’s ongoing investments in infrastructure and services, and called on the government to enhance lifeguard staffing. “The beaches are the engine of our local economy and the symbol of our tourism identity,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou called the 66 awards “a significant distinction” for Cyprus, reinforcing the island’s standing as a leader in environmental quality. She noted that Blue Flag certification requires strict compliance with 33 criteria for beaches and 38 for marinas, including “excellent” water quality by EU standards.
“Environmental responsibility is not symbolic. It is demonstrated daily through planning and commitment,” Panayiotou said, adding that Cyprus has ranked first in the EU for bathing water quality for two consecutive years. The country’s compliance is monitored by the Department of Environment, Health Services, and the State General Laboratory.
Tourism officials highlighted the economic impact of Cyprus’s beach quality. Annita Demetriadou, Director of the Quality Assurance Directorate at the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, reported that tourist arrivals surpassed 4 million in 2024, generating €3.2 billion, an increase of 7.3% from 2023.
CYMEPA Secretary General Dr. Michalis Iereidis, who heads the National Blue Flag Jury, stressed that beaches are continuously monitored. “The flags can be withdrawn at any time,” he warned, noting that 16 were removed last year due to non-compliance.
Other municipalities recognized include Ayia Napa (16 flags), Amathounta (9), Paphos (6), and Larnaca (3). Limassol and Ayia Napa marinas also received flags. Despite most of Konnos Beach falling within Paralimni-Deryneia, the flag was awarded to Ayia Napa due to administrative boundaries.
