The indicator is a state indicator. The Blue Flag is an international environmental award given to qualified beaches, marinas, and yachts that meet the required standards. The application of the Blue Flag, which was introduced in Europe in 1987 and in Turkey in 1993, aims to create high standards for beaches, marinas, and yachts.

In the period from 1994 to 2020, the numberof Blue Flag beaches in Turkey has steadily increased, reaching 486 beaches, 22 marinas and 7 yachts in 2020.

Within the Blue Flag program, which is carried out in cooperation with the Turkish Foundation for Environmental Education (TURCEV) in our country, Turkey ranks third with 486 beaches, behind Spain with 590 beaches and Greece with 497 beaches. It ranks seventh in the world in terms of marinas.

GRAPH 156- NUMBER OF BLUE FLAG BEACHES, MARINAS AND YACHTS BY YEARS IN TURKEY

Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism,2021