MICALLEF, A., WILLIAMS, A.T and GALLEGO FERNANDEZ, J.B., 2011. Bathing Area Quality and Landscape Evaluation on the Mediterranean Coast of Andalucia, Spain. In: Micallef, A. (ed.), MCRR3-2010 Conference Proceedings, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 61, pp. 87–95. Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, ISSN 0749-0208.

Beach quality was evaluated at 27 sites along the Mediterranean shore of the Andalucian coast (Spain). Beaches surveyed were identified as resort (Williams, Micallef, Anfuso & Gallego-Fernandez), urban (Van Maele, Pond, Williams, Dubsky, 2000), village (Williams & Micallef, 2009), rural (Van Maele et al.) and remote (Simm, Beach & John, 1995) bathing areas. Beach quality was evaluated via the BARE (Bathing Area Registration & Evaluation) technique that rates five beach-relevant parameters (safety, water quality, facilities, scenery and litter) and subsequently classifies beach quality based on parameter rating results. Both parameter rating and beach quality classification processes are beach-type dependent. The system is not limited to an award system but is a registration and quality evaluation one that is very useful tool for beach managers. Based on a five class system, beaches were classified as 5 Star (high) - 1 Star (low). Site breakdown was: 5 Star (WTO, 2006); 4 Star (Williams et al.); 3 Star (Van Maele et al.); 2 Star (Williams, in press) and 1 Star (Williams & Morgan, 1995). The highest beach quality (4 / 5 Star) was identified mainly on remote beaches areas with a second 5 Star beach in a rural area. No large differences in beach quality appeared between rural, urban and village beaches.