{"id":19344,"date":"2023-10-23T14:55:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T12:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/?p=19344"},"modified":"2023-10-23T14:55:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T12:55:16","slug":"kzn-south-coast-retains-title-of-highest-number-of-blue-flag-beaches-in-kzn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/beaches\/kzn-south-coast-retains-title-of-highest-number-of-blue-flag-beaches-in-kzn\/","title":{"rendered":"KZN South Coast retains title of \u2018highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in KZN\u2019!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">Tourism on the KZN South Coast has received another boost with the announcement on Friday (20 October 2023) that the region has retained its position as having the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in the province.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">\u201cWe are delighted that the KZN South Coast has, once again, shown it\u2019s a premier seaside destination that takes environmental conservation and bather safety seriously,\u201d commented Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism &amp; Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). \u201cWith tourism the lifeblood of our local economy, this will continue to position the KZN South Coast as a top coastal destination, supporting local job creation and ensuring the region\u2019s economic viability. We welcome this announcement, particularly ahead of our busiest time, the festive season!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">In addition to retaining its title, two KZN South Coast beaches have been noted for the longevity in the programme which started in 2001. Marina Beach has retained Blue Flag status since the programme inception \u2013 22 consecutive years &#8211; and Trafalgar Beach for 12 consecutive years. The KZN South Coast also has 7 beaches in the Blue Flag Pilot programme, indicating continued commitment to conservation, health, and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">The KZN South Coast Blue Flag Beaches 2023\/2024 are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marina Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trafalgar Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Southport Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Umzumbe Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hibberdene Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">The KZN South Coast Blue Flag Pilot Beaches 2023\/2024 are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pennington Beach \u2013 Umdoni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rocky Bay Beach \u2013 Umdoni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Preston Beach \u2013 Umdoni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Umthwalume Beach \u2013 Umdoni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scottburgh Beach \u2013 Umdoni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St Michael\u2019s Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ramsgate Beach \u2013 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">Beaches that have achieved the international certification of Blue Flag have adhered to the Foundation for Environmental Education\u2019s (FEE) standards of environmental management. These standards relate to water quality, safety, and public environmental education. All properties and companies that apply for the Blue Flag award are assessed by a South African National Jury as well as by the Blue Flag International Jury in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">In South Africa, Wessa (The Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa), has been locally managing this globally recognised eco-label in partnership FEE since 2001. According to Wessa, the Blue Flag is a voluntary programme which shows a very strong commitment to environmental sustainability from municipalities that are awarded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">WESSA CEO, Helena Atkinson acknowledged the exceptional efforts made by local authorities, communities and volunteers in achieving excellent world-class standards this season: \u201cIt takes great dedication and effort to manage a beach or marina to meet the rigorous standards set out for this prestigious award, and we extend our warmest congratulations to all the deserving sites that have achieved the eco-labels.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">Uncover adventure on the KZN South Coast<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">In addition to boasting the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches, the KZN South Coast has two world-class dive sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks to explore. With 11 quality golf courses found throughout the KZN South Coast, the \u2018Golf Coast\u2019 remains a favourite destination for both leisure and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination! The subtropical climate and diverse natural landscape also set the scene for the ultimate in agri-tourism and extreme adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9.0pt; color: #7f7f7f;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">Uncover all the adventure on the KZN South Coast by downloading the \u2018Explore KZN South Coast\u2019 app, visiting the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za%2F&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=2cadf37fa976367ea9bc1af1842b5cc6eb5fc9ca7c2dee00deb49fd12e507043\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">website<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">, checking out the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za%2Fevents%2Fcategory%2Fevents-2022%2F%3Fetype%3Dupcoming&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=7b8be5833d3361066323b3b00185fe608d4bf7ffa5c9224aaa8e6e37440c17ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Events Calendar<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! Don\u2019t miss out on the action by following South Coast Tourism on <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Finfosouthcoast%2F%3F_rdc%3D2%26_rdr&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=1e63f3acccaf433f23d44b8c2218e6675f222ac125935a6b44d43a8793ca87af\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FSouthCoastTourism&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=ad3a04253c5532726e747fff6863d78b23222aec336bebdf9142206faba49dcd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">; @infosouthcoast on <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Finfosouthcoast&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=c57f6452fab593dd36e6dafdb8713a2d9a261c70a454553af7fcacdc6489754a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Finfosouthcoast%2F&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=6f924f8ad4dd55ebb89d7f36dab096ebf0755e2dc3c61402f7dbae21df45be15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">; and South Coast Tourism &amp; Investment Enterprise on <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fza.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fugu---south-coast-tourism%3Foriginal_referer%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=6ca5609d289143777f996cb5722e9d93be844f9ee79c7d8b628f019142c36f1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\">. And click <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7f7f7f;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/click.icptrack.com\/icp\/relay.php?r=5092432&amp;msgid=239934&amp;act=RLNI&amp;c=1681970&amp;pid=3478505&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za%2Fcategory%2Fpress-release%2F&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=3d9e4abbf07e33b68a6e71fcea31d97503becdb0a7477744ccd51b7270231bc5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: black;\">here<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; color: black;\"> to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Follow the hashtags #uncover #uncoverkznsouthcoast #uncoveradventure #kznsouthcoast<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tourism on the KZN South Coast has received another boost with the announcement on Friday (20 October 2023) that the region has retained its position as having the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in the province. \u00a0 \u201cWe are delighted that the KZN South Coast has, once again, shown it\u2019s a premier seaside destination [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19343,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2512],"tags":[5367],"class_list":["post-19344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-beaches","tag-olivia-jones-communications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19344"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19344\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}