An international jury accepted recommendations made by the Dominican Institute of Environmental Law (IDARD) and granted the Hotel Grand Oasis Marien, Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata the prestigious Blue Flag certificate. The Grand Oasis chain is an affiliate of Globalia, the Air Europa company. This distinction is an international symbol of excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental management.
Recent studies show that the Blue Flag makes economic sense and can potentially earn an income of millions every year for the beach and its environment. But maintaining Blue Flag status, however, does not come cheap and involves strict adherence to environmental criteria, including sending a sample of the seawater for laboratory testing every week.
Blue Flag beaches in the DR are: Cabeza de Toro Dreams Palm Beach, Cabeza de Toro Grand Oasis, Cabeza de Toro Natura Park in the Higuey municipality on the East Coast. Also Costa Dorada Grand Oasis, Costa Dorada Iberostar, Playa Dorada I and Playa Dorada II in Puerto Plata, on the North Coast.