The official launch of the 12th Blue Flag season was held at Grotto Beach in Hermanus, Western Cape, on 11 October 2012. Southern Right Charters was awarded Blue Flag status.

Up till now Blue Flag certification programme has focused primarily on beaches in South Africa but this year see’s the introduction of Whale-watching boats, Southern Right Charters is only one of three whale watching companies countrywide to receive Blue Flag status by complying with the Blue Flag for Whale-watching Boat’s Environmental Code of Conduct.

According to the World Tourism Organization, the international Blue Flag, which is now in its 25th year of operation, is the most well-known and oldest Eco-label of its kind – WESSA BLUE FLAG PRESS RELEASE 2012.

The Blue Flag Award is an environmental award. It is a well recognised international standard for sustainable and responsible tourism with low environmental impact.

In South Africa, the Blue Flag programme is managed by WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) and participating local authorities under the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Coastcare initiative. The strict criteria of the programme are set by the international coordinators of the Blue Flag campaign in Europe, the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education).