The Blue Flag factor

Buying property overseas is not a random process. There are huge tracts of inland Spain where you’ll never hear a word in English or German. Most foreign home buyers gravitate towards the coasts, and top quality beaches are high on their wants list. The recent round of Blue Flag awards makes interesting reading for property owners.

The International Blue Flag organisation provide the highest accolade for any beach, and have recently awarded 2,628 of the flags to beaches and marinas in 31 countries.

To qualify for a Blue Flag, beaches must meet stringent standards of cleanliness, hygiene facilities, lifesaving provision, signposting and information and disabled access. Marinas must also have recycling facilities.

Of course, this means that magnificent, wild Lanzarote beaches such as Papagayo or those on La Graciosa will never see a Blue Flag, but for tourist resorts, the award is a valuable feather in the cap, and a guarantee of high standards.

Spain, as in previous years, led the way, with 499 beaches and 77 marinas receiving A Blue Flag. Five of those beaches are on Lanzarote – one less than last year owing to the beaches of La Garrita in Arrieta and Cucharas in Costa Teguise failing to meet the strict new requirements. While Garrita probably can’t afford the lifesaving service that caused it to lose out this year, it’s hoped that Cucharas will regain its flag after disabled access is addressed. Playa Grande in Puerto Del Carmen will also be a strong contender next year. Meanwhile, tiny Playa Chica in Puerto Del Carmen won its first Blue Flag.

Spain’s success could be one of the factors that explains why Spanish property is still holding its price despite recent scares. There’ll always be a demand for properties near tip-top beaches.

Greece came second in the Blue Flag stakes with 430 Blue Flag beaches, reinforcing its presence in the overseas property market, and Turkey also made great gains with 235 flags, adding to its appeal as a current hotspot.

With a little investment, Lanzarote could easily double its number of Blue Flags, with beaches such as Jablillo and Cucharas in Costa Teguise, Flamingo and Dorada in Playa Blanca, Grande in Puerto Del Carmen, Reducto in Arrecife and the Playa Honda town beach prime candidates for a bit of improvement and the resulting accolades. The island’s authorities would do well to take the Blue Flag factor more seriously.