Italy upped the number of its environmentally top-notch beaches on 2007 although southern regions are struggling to meet standards, according to a new international survey.
With 96 so-called 'blue flag' beaches, Italy showed a slight improvement on last year's tally of 90 in the annual classification released by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
"The increase shows how much attention beach resorts are paying to environmental problems," said Roberto Riccioni, head of FEE's Italian chapter.
FEE examines thousands of beaches all over Europe every year, demanding that strict environmental criteria be respected before its blue flags can be displayed.
The criteria focus on water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management, safety, cleanliness, provisions for waste and recycling and strict zoning of different beach activities.
The Italian region with the most blue flags was Tuscany, with 16, followed by Liguria with 13.
According to the new FEE report, many southern Italian beaches have applied for the blue flag but problems with waste disposal have meant the coveted symbol was withheld.
"Places that don't gear themselves up for sustainable tourism will be pushed out of the market in coming years," FEE said.
