Twenty-nine South African beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status this year, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced last week.

This was ten more than last year and extremely good news for tourism, he said in a statement issued after a ceremony to mark the announcement at Muizenberg beach in Cape Town.

"South Africa's Blue Flag beaches increase our desirability and reputation as a world class destination."

"With the exception of Morocco, South Africa is the only African country implementing Blue Flag, and we have done so with increasing success since 2001," Van Schalkwyk said.

Blue Flag is an international award scheme that acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach they are visiting is one of the best in the world.

It is awarded to those that have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

Beaches awarded Blue Flag status for the first time:
   -- MacDougall's Bay, Port Nolloth;
   -- Yzerfontein Main beach, Yzerfontein;
   -- Big Bay beach, Bloubergstrand Cape Town;
   -- Santosbeach, Mossel Bay;
   -- Hartenbos beach, Mossel Bay;
   -- Robberg 5 beach, Plettenberg Bay;
   -- Kariega Main beach, Kenton-on-Sea;
   -- Boknes beach, Kenton-On-Sea;
   -- Trafalgar beach, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal;
   -- Alkantstrand, Richard's Bay.

Sapa