The Refinishing Touch Blog

Since 1985, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has operated Blue Flag, an ecological certification program for beaches and marinas. To date, 3,355 beaches and marinas have received this sustainable development award. The North African country of Tunisia recently received its first six of these, and this number appears ready to increase.

To keep pace with the growing sustainable tourism sector, Tunisia’s minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Nadhir Hamada, launched an emphasis on beach protection. This endeavor has already proven fruitful; in addition its six Blue Flags, Tunisia has five more beaches in a trial period for certification.

As a growing tourist hot spot for many European travelers, Tunisia’s push for Blue Flag certification appeals to a burgeoning group of eco-conscious travelers.

The Tunisian campaign for tourists can’t lose. Even if travelers don’t take to Sousse and Tunis in droves, the country and its beaches will have undergone a change for the better. Tunisia, if not the most popular vacation destination, can be the most environmentally viable.