Life’s a beach! English Beaches Awarded Record Number of Blue Flags for 2012
Adding even more excitement and anticipation to this summer holiday season, the prestigious Blue Flag organisation has awarded English beaches a record number of accolades for 2012 – 79, an increase of 9 over last year.
A highly coveted international award, the Blue Flag pays tribute to beaches which abide by strict criteria with regards to water quality, cleanliness, safety, accessibility and services and is judged by a global panel under the prestigious Blue Flag Programme.
Beaches are awarded the Blue Flag based on compliance with 32 criteria which includes everything from ensuring that the local authority are maintaining good order on the beach, having recycling facilities, clean rest rooms, certified lifeguard programs and of course clean water and a pristine beach.
Westward Ho! is one such beach which has been awarded one of the 27 flags in the South East (2 less than last year). This up and coming coastal village in North Devon also recently won gold in the 2012 UK Good Beach Programme, a double accolade very well deserved according to Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, which operates the West Beach Resort just 50m from Westward Ho! beach, who comments:
“It is hard to find a more terrific spot in Devon than Westward Ho! There are areas of our coastline which have become completely overtaken by tourists – such as Padstow – where you can’t park to save your life and the queue for Rick Stein’s fish and chips runs around the block on occasion. In comparison Westward Ho! has retained its charm and character whilst having all the mod cons and facilities that people expect from a beach holiday destination today.”
With Britain hosting so many fabulous events this summer the National Tourism Agency has forecast that in excess of 30 million visitors will greet our shores in 2012, spending an estimated £17.6 billion in the process. The South West Tourism alliance predicts 5.3 million people alone will arrive in Devon during 2012 totalling just under 23 million nights of accommodation. The majority of those would be delighted to have a sea view and being on a Blue Flag beach is as good as it gets for investors looking to secure easy rents and protect the property’s future value.
For those interested in owning a home just 50m from the Blue Flag award winning Westward Ho! beach, then why not consider West Beach Resort? These luxurious 2 bedroom apartments afford direct sea views with all mod cons such as solid oak kitchens, under floor heating and rainfall showers. They also enjoy the latest modern technology in the form of air-sourced heat pumps; wired and wireless internet access and VOIP phone systems.
If you wish to find out more about these superb apartments located just 50m from this fun packed beach contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com for more information.