Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - A blue flag raising ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 14th at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, the first marina to receive International Blue Flag certification in all of Mexico.

Playa Nuevo Vallarta Norte also received its Blue Flag during this event, and four of the Riviera Nayarit's beaches - Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta Sur and Norte in Banderas Bay, and Chacala in Compostela - were re-certified under NOM-120-Semarnat, Mexico's Official Clean Beach Standard.

This was a great honor for Nayarit, which stands out among other states in clean beach certifications with 10 out of the 33 Certified Clean Beaches in Mexico.

This certification is good for two years, meaning the beaches of Nuevo Vallarta II, Los Muertos in Sayulita, Playa Palladium in Punta de Mita, Costa Capomo and Platanitos in Compostela and El Borrego in San Blas are still certified for another year.

Among the officials present were mayors José Pérez Gómez of Bahía de Banderas and Alicia Monroy Lizola of Compostela, who received the awards; the Nayarit Secretary of Tourism, Catalina Ruiz; the Marina Riviera Nayarit Harbor Master, Rafael Alcántara; and the national Blue Flag and Green Key coordinator, Joaquín Díaz.

The commitment of the municipal and state authorities, in collaboration with the federal authorities and the help of the public and private initiatives, is to continue contributing new beaches that adhere to these certification standards.

"Our commitment is to continue working to distinguish the Riviera Nayarit as a leader in many tourism factors, such as the security you can enjoy here, as well as the certification of more beaches," said Bahía de Banderas Mayor, Perez Gomez.

"We are seeing an opportunity for Compostela to obtain a Blue Flag. In August, we will visit several beaches in the area to see which one could be distinguished by a Blue Flag. And not just in Compostela, but also in San Blas, which also has great potential for certification," Joaquin Diaz said.

Nayarit Tourism Secretary Catalina Ruiz congratulated the Riviera Nayarit for being recognized by Pronatura Mexico with four Blue Flag beach certifications. She acknowledged that tourism is an industry that generates business opportunities, jobs and investment, while enhancing growth and sustainable development.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism said that many of the destination's hotels are seeking Green Key awards which, like the Blue Flag, are granted by Pronatura AC and have great global significance.