The State of Baja California is recognized for its natural beauty and biodiversity, positioning itself as one of the main promoters of sustainable tourism in Mexico.
The efforts have not been isolated, as for this year, the state Congress has declared this year as the “Year of Sustainable Tourism as a Driver of Social Well-being and Progress”, seeking to strengthen the leadership of the entity as a world-class tourism reference.
Daniel Madariaga Barrilado, a specialist in sustainable tourism, highlighted the initiatives and efforts carried out in the entity that have highlighted it as one of the main ones in boasting clean and certified beaches, which is essential to attract quality tourism and protect the environment.
The sustainable approach is a strategic bet to consolidate the State as an inclusive and competitive tourist destination at a global level. A study by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2018) revealed that 75% of tourists choose a destination based on the quality of its beaches.
“The state of the beaches in our country is a reflection of the existing commitment to the environment. Keeping them in optimal condition and certified with the established regulations attracts responsible tourists and encourages the generation of a highly beneficial sustainability cycle at a local level,” said Madariaga Barrilado.
In this regard, he addressed the importance of the Blue Flag distinction, an international certification initiative that is awarded to beaches that meet high standards in areas such as water cleanliness, environmental management, visitor safety and education on environmental conservation.
The Blue Flag program has certified more than 4,500 beaches in 49 countries. According to recent records, certified beaches report a 29% improvement in water quality and increase tourism by an average of 15%.
In Baja California, initiatives for the cleaning and certification of these spaces, such as “Limpiemos Baja California”, have resulted in the certification of 28 beaches until 2024, placing the entity in first place at a national level.
Investing in clean beaches, an imperative for sustainable tourism
According to the Ocean Conservancy Foundation, beach cleaning significantly improves the health of marine ecosystems and biodiversity can increase by up to 30% in areas with active cleaning programs.
In this regard, Daniel Madariaga Barrilado maintains that, “investing in clean beaches and beach certification in a collaborative responsibility is essential to strengthen our tourism offer and contribute to improving the quality of life of locals. We must not only attract tourists; we must ensure that they become ambassadors of sustainability.”
Although Mexico has 11,122 kilometers of coastline, only 69 beaches were supported with this certification in 2023, which contrasts with Spain, which is in first place in the certification ranking, since with just seven thousand 905 kilometers of coastline, it reaches 628 beaches with the distinction.
This means that while Spain manages to certify a beach every 11.45 kilometers, Mexico takes 161.18 kilometers, despite the country’s vocation as a coastal destination.
“It is crucial that Mexico, being a coastal destination par excellence, manages to certify more beaches. This will not only benefit those who depend on tourism, but will also attract visitors seeking sustainability. The way we manage our beaches can significantly boost our economic growth,” concluded Daniel Madariaga Barrilado.
Source: elpais
