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The Straits Times 31 May 05 Raising the Blue Flag on green beaches An international organisation that rates beaches and marinas on their environment-friendliness is keen to raise its flag in Singapore. From humble beginnings in Europe in the late 1980s, the Blue Flag Campaign has now certified more than 3,000 such places in areas as far-flung as the Caribbean, New Zealand and South Africa. It has yet to establish itself in Asia. Its spokesman, Ms Carrie Dean, said yesterday that her group's efforts have helped raise levels of awareness on environmental issues among the local population and could be a big magnet for tourists. "Tourists increasingly expect the same cleanliness and safety standards they have in beaches back home at those they visit abroad", she told a group of tourism industry representatives, boating enthusiasts and environmental enthusiasts at Sentosa Golf Club. Areas participating in the Blue Flag programme go through a string of annual checks on water quality, environmental sustainability and safety. The scheme, which is supported by the United Nationas Environment Programme, will need to be administered by a local non-governmental organisation. One such group, the Singapore Environment Council, is considering taking it up. Tourism industry representatives, among them Sentosa Leisure Group, also expressed interest in signing up. Said the group's strategic projects director, Mr Steven Chua: "We want tourists and Singaporeans to view Sentosa as a place where you can have fun without hurting the environment." links Related articles on Wild shores of Singapore |
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