Coordinated work between the National Competitiveness Council (CNC), the Puerto Plata and Samana Tourism Clusters and the environmental law institute, Instituto de Derecho Ambiental de la Republica Dominicana (IDARD), has resulted in three new beaches being awarded Blue Flag certifications. This brings to four the number of Dominican beaches that can boast the prestigious beach quality award. Two stretches of beach along the north coast in Costa Dorada and Puerto Plata, Coson beach on the northern side of Samana and the confirmation of Bayahibe on the east coast were accredited for 2007. Jaime Moreno, senior advisor to the National Competitiveness Council highlighted the fact that Blue Flag is the only beach and coastal zone management program in operation in the country that ensures adequate and sustainable use of Dominican beaches, which are important assets for the competitiveness of sun and beach tourism. Cesar Vargas of IDARD, which manages the Blue Flag program in the country, explained the difficulties in the maintenance of the strict quality controls. During the announcement of the certification awards, he stressed that it is a challenge for protecting coastal areas and sustainable tourism that hoteliers are helping make happen.
Blue Flag, a European program, has certified more than 3,300 beaches and ports in 36 countries around the world. Bayahibe was the first Blue Flag beach in the Caribbean.