Ten beaches in Tekirdağ have qualified for Blue Flag status this year. The beaches along the Marmara Sea coast attract the interest of holidaymakers during the summer months with their natural beauty, varied options and transportation facilities.
Tekirdağ Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Ömer Faruk Karaküçük said Blue Flag beaches make a significant contribution to the city's tourism value. Karaküçük stated that Tekirdağ has significant potential for coastal tourism thanks to its shoreline extending along the Marmara Sea.
Blue Flag covers many criteria
Karaküçük said the Blue Flag is an international environmental award that covers not only seawater quality but also various criteria, including environmental management, safety, cleanliness, accessibility and the services provided.
Karaküçük said Tekirdağ's Blue Flag beaches contribute to promoting the city's coastal tourism potential and making it a preferred tourism destination. He noted that residents and visitors should consider these beaches when choosing where to swim, as this is important for a safe and high-quality seaside experience.
Expert warns about water quality and beach flags
Prof. Dr. Burcu Tokuç, a faculty member in the Department of Public Health at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, said that water quality, the services provided at beaches and the Blue Flag criteria should all be taken into consideration when selecting places to swim.
Tokuç stated that swimming and beach waters are monitored by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change under applicable regulations. She said residents can access swimming-water analysis results by province, district and beach, and recommended choosing areas where water quality is rated “good” or “excellent.”
Emphasizing the need to monitor flags and warnings at beaches, Tokuç urged people to choose beaches with a Blue Flag and not to swim in areas displaying a red flag.
Tokuç said contact with contaminated water can cause diarrheal diseases as well as eye and outer-ear infections, and stated that those seeking to cool off during the summer should not overlook water quality. She added that people who use shared swimming pools should also obtain information about the water quality and the pool's inspection status.
