Two new members have just received the long-awaited decision to enter the very closed circle of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. They now join the 30 other bays listed.

Let us remember that the international association, created by a group in Vannes, was symbolically launched in Berlin on 10 March 1997. It groups together local authorities offering a maritime front on outstandingly beautiful bays throughout the world.

To become a member, the bays must meet certain criteria defined in the statutes, such as being the subject of protection measures, having an interesting flora and fauna, having outstandingly beautiful nature reserves, being known and appreciated on a national and local level, being symbolic to the local population, having a certain economic potential( …) Today, being awarded this label is a solid reference for tourism.

The world executive board of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays met on 5, 6, 7 November during a meeting in Santander in the province of Cantabria in Spain, and on their invitation. They were therefore able to make their arbitrations, decide on future activities and prepare its next international commitments.

Present for the length of the two days, on the site of Palacio de Magdalena, were members of the board from Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Senegal, and Spain.

United for the session under the session presidet, the Deputy President, Galip Gür (Turkey Bodrum), the members worked on a full agenda:

• Current applications
• Major Environmental Programmes
• Assistance with the environment study project
• Partnership policy
• Current affairs (…)

In the middle of the session, the Mayor of Santander – Inigo De La Serna intervened officially to emphasize his deep attachment to the values of the Organization and his high hopes for practical collaboration with it. In this context and on his request, the board decided to give a negative opinion on the aeroelectric power plan for 700 wind turbines. “The World’s Most Beautiful Bays” justified their negative opinion on the motive that this spectacular project would completely alter the physiognomy of the Bay of Santander. This consultative opinion was to feed the debate organized by the municipality, the day before an important decision was made, and a formal document was signed for this purpose.

Finally, at the end of the session, the board noted and confirmed the transfer of the world head office to the new site on the harbour in Vannes.

The inauguration of the head office has been announced for 5 December in the presence of a delegation from the Bay of Tadoussac-QUEBEC and Mont St Michel.

The date of the next International Congress has been set for end April 2010 in Halong Bay, where the two new member Bays will be officially accepted.