Two more Eastern Cape beaches – Wells Estate in the metro and Dolphin beach in Jeffreys Bay – have been awarded coveted Blue Flag status.

The prestigious international annual rating, already bestowed on Port Elizabeth’s Humewood beach in 2002, is often associated with higher tourist numbers and increased business and property investment in towns and suburbs near the beaches.

Wells Estate and Dolphin beaches are among six new Blue Flag beaches in the country that will officially receive their flags at a ceremony on Cape Town’s Clifton beach on October 22, according to Blue Flag’s national co-ordinator for South Africa Alison Kelly. Blue Flag status at eight existing beaches, including Humewood, is expected to be renewed.

Only beaches that meet stringent requirements regarding water quality, safety and security, facilities and environmental education are allowed to fly the Blue Flag and external inspectors review their status annually. The initiative, first launched in Europe in 1985 by the Danish-based Foundation for Environmental Education, now flies over beaches in 35 countries.

Wells Estate’s Blue Flag status is significant because it was once a so-called “non-white” beach.

Announcing Jeffreys Bay’s coup at a press conference in the town yesterday, Kouga councilors, officials and business predicted the award would lift the area’s economy.

“Whether it is the property market, tourism or the retail sector that will boom, jobs will be created out of this,” delighted Kouga mayor Robbie Dennis said. He praised the region’s business community for supporting the Blue Flag bid. Kouga has invested R150 000 – about R100 000 from the council and the balance from local business – upgrading facilities such as its ablution centre.

Jeffreys Bay normally attracts 100 000 to 150 000 visitors over Christmas and Easter but officials expect this to increase. Margate and Umhlanga beaches have doubled visitor numbers since earning the flag.

“Tourists from countries like Germany surf the Internet and when they see Blue Flag status beaches are available they know they will be clean and safe . . . the spinoffs will be visible in the first season,” Kouga community services manager James Foreman said.

However, Lookout Beach in Plettenberg Bay, one of the first two beaches in South Africa to raise the Blue Flag in 2002, has since lost its status and has not reapplied.