If the average user satisfaction rating for the beaches of La Arena and El Sable was, broadly speaking, 91%, it highlights the 97% average achieved by the lifeguard and accessibility services.
Last Tuesday, 19 October, the Committee of Beaches held the closing session for the season. Its purpose is to analyse the development of the beach season based on the assessment of the improvement actions carried out, the review of compliance with quality indicator targets, and the verification of the level of user satisfaction based on the results of the surveys conducted throughout the whole summer.
The SIG Director presented the review report, which in summary form covers the main aspects relating to environmental management and services at the beaches of Isla.
As a starting point, the renewal without any nonconformities of the Q tourism quality certifications, ISO 14001 for environmental quality and universal accessibility stands out, along with the award of the Blue Flag, accompanied by the thematic distinction “inclusive beaches”, which is only granted to three municipalities across all of Spain.
One of the most notable pieces of data in the report was a 15% average decrease in users, which left figures of around 30,000 at El Sable and 24,000 at La Arena, undoubtedly due to the poor weather last summer, which had 30% fewer beach days.
Regarding the improvement actions included at the start of the season, 90% were carried out correctly, which translated into almost total achievement of objectives, with the only exception being the execution of a new ramp at El Sable beach to improve accessibility conditions—a ramp whose project is still pending authorisation and approval by the Cantabria Coastal Demarcation.
The only indicator that has been perceived as negative is the segregation of waste, which after several years of continuous improvement, in 2021 was reduced by 10%, leading the Committee to incorporate into the improvement plan a study of measures, both for facilities and for awareness-raising, in order to recover the improvement path in the percentage of separate waste collection.
Meanwhile, in terms of accessibility, efforts from previous years have continued, thanks to which the beaches of El Sable and La Arena are not only certified by AENOR as accessible; rather, for the third year in a row the thematic distinction “inclusive beaches” is achieved within the Blue Flag programme. In 2021, opening hours and the period of attention for the area reserved for users with reduced mobility were extended, new accessible showers were added, the area of accessible routes was expanded, and as a novelty lifeguard flags suitable for people with colour blindness were introduced, along with signage for zebra crossings near the beaches, adapted for people with mental disabilities. The level of satisfaction expressed by users of the accessibility services through the specific surveys was 97% at both beaches.
It is also noteworthy among the improvements aimed at encouraging sustainable mobility: the installation on La Arena beach of an electric bike parking stand for e-bikes, where, in addition to parking them, users can also recharge the batteries. An idea that began at La Arena beach due to the steepness of the road, but which next year will be extended to other beaches and locations in the Ecoparque.
The Committee concluded with the recommendations for improvements for the 2022 season. This includes both the small actions associated with corrective actions and other circumstances identified by the Directorate, as well as the inclusion of a Three-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan to make it possible to tackle the refurbishment of major service and accessibility infrastructure, with the aim of keeping Isla’s beaches at the forefront in quality, environmental responsibility and accessibility throughout the coming decade.