Riviera Nayarit Confirms Blue Flag Certifications Norma Hernandez - CVB of Riviera Nayarit
July 15, 2017

Playa Nuevo Vallarta North, the Marina Riviera Nayarit y the Santa María del Oro Lagoon in Nayarit all obtained the Blue Flag certification for the fifth, third and second consecutive years, respectively, for the 2017-2018 season.

The Blue Flag is awarded by Pronatura México, based on protocols established by Europe’s Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The symbolic raising of the flag for the three destinations took place on Wednesday, July 12, at the Santa María del Oro Lagoon, convened by the Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, or Sederma, by its acronym in Spanish.

Rebeca Sánchez Mijangos, who represents Pronatura México and heads the Blue Flag program, together with Norma Fernández Molina, Tourism Secretary for the State of Nayarit, raised the corresponding flag for this “Enchanted Lagoon” before dozens of people who came to witness the event, as well as representatives from the three levels of government.

Rebeca Sánchez Mijangos acknowledged the work that went into the coordination and all the labor invested over the span of a year to comply with the 33 parameters established by the FEE, which since 1987 has been giving their recognition to the beaches, marinas and shops that follow the norms regarding water quality, safety, basic services rendered and sustainability.

Meanwhile, Norma Fernández Molina, who was there representing Roberto Sandoval Castañeda, Governor of the State of Nayarit, expressed their gratitude and highlighted the work done by the directors, delegates, secretaries, the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, the civil societies and the tourism service providers for being part of the “chain” that makes this type of certifications possible.

In order to obtain this recognition the coordinated participation of several entities was key, including Federal Maritime and Land Zones (Zofemat, by its acronym in Spanish), Clean Beaches, Ecology, Public Services, Audits, Public Safety, Tourism and Civil Defense.

The Blue Flag certification is valid for one year, which means that at the end of the summer season the different beaches and their conditions are subject once again to a thorough evaluation.

Also present during the ceremony were Rodrigo Gómez Godoy, General Secretary of the Santa María del Oro City Council, in representation of Municipal President Procopio Meza; Omar Camarena, delegate for Semarnat; Santiago Parra, Environmental Attorney for the State of Nayarit; Juan Manuel Rocha Piedra, Environmental Secretary for Nayarit; Rafael Alcántara, Harbor Master of the Marina Riviera Nayarit; Mariela Dueñas, Environmental Programs Manager for the Riviera Nayarit CVB; and Jorge Basave, delegate from Fonatur.

THE FACTS:
• The first Blue Flag in Nayarit was awarded to Playa Nuevo Vallarta North in 2013, which has kept its certification since then.
• The Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle obtained its Blue Flag in 2015, and was the first of its kind to receive this international distinction.
• The Santa María del Oro Lagoon raised its First Blue Flag in August 2016.

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