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TOURISM

Danish beaches are better than ever

Denmark may not be able to offer the best beach weather, but it does have some of the best swimming options according to a new European report.

Danish beaches are better than ever
Jump on in, the water's fine. Photo: Lars Rasborg/Scanpix
The European Environment Agency (EEA) released its annual EU bathing season report and found that 79 percent of Denmark’s bathing waters offer excellent water quality and a full 97.6 percent of the country’s beaches and lakes live up to the minimum requirements of the EU’s Bathing Water Directive. 
 
The 2014 results were a slight improvement over the previous year, giving Denmark its highest ever water quality score. 
 
“The quality of Denmark’s bathing waters continues to increase year after year. It is extremely positive not only for those of us who love to take a dip in the waters but also for tourism,” Environment Minister Kirsten Brosbøl said. 
 
“We should use our good water quality to market Denmark because part of what brings tourists to Denmark are our beautiful, clean lakes and beaches,” she added. 
 
Last summer, the government approved a tourism plan that will allow coastal communities to build upon environmentally-protected stretches of the coast in an effort to entice more tourists to Denmark’s beaches. 
 
According to government figures, the number of overnight stays in the nation’s coastal and nature areas has fallen by 27.5 percent over the past decade.
 
Per the EEA report, Denmark has 1,017 bathing options that meet the requirements for water quality, bacteria levels and public health risks. Sixteen bodies of water were not compliant with the EU requirements, down from 19 last year. 
 

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