Rimini, October 20 (askanews) – Three hundred and fifty rooms nestled in the Litorale di Ugento Regional Natural Park and a challenge: reconciling high-end all-inclusive hospitality with the protection of a protected ecosystem. Vivosa Apulia Resort, the first Italian resort to be certified B Corp, has incorporated sustainability into its management model. "We are an eco-resort: from an energy standpoint, we are highly sustainable; for example, we use zero plastic.
We have 350 rooms, so zero plastic is an excellent goal. We have energy from photovoltaic panels, we practice xerogardening, we have planted and reclaimed the entire surrounding area, so it's an example of how even human intervention in a protected and natural area can benefit the area itself,” explains Veronica Milo, General Manager of Vivosa Apulia Resort. The other goal is to leave a significant portion of the wealth produced in the local area.
During the season, the resort employs over 500 people, nearly 80% of whom come from nearby municipalities, while 95% of its suppliers are based in Puglia. Welfare benefits also include free daycare for employees' children and contributions to sports activities. "We have a Vivosa Academy for all the young people in the area. The most deserving will then receive a scholarship with us and even a full-time contract," adds Milo. The problem to overcome is a common one for much of the Salento tourism industry: the concentration of visitors in the summer months.
Vivosa is extending its season from April to October, focusing on wellness, corporate events, and sports retreats. "We're breaking away from the July-August business model in Salento," says the manager, "because we have so much more to offer. Vivosa is a multifaceted resort, combining not just leisure but also MICE, and we're seeing that we're truly attractive, especially for large retreats—corporate retreats—but also sports retreats." The all-inclusive formula doesn't necessarily have to keep guests inside the property. Experiences offered include fishing with the fishermen of Torre San Giovanni, bike rides among the centuries-old olive trees, and aperitifs in the pajara, the traditional Salento trullo. The proceeds, says Vivosa, go to local suppliers. In 2026, the resort won the title of Italy's Leading All-Inclusive Resort from the World Travel Awards for the sixth consecutive year. "We're delighted to have won the World Travel Awards in London for best all-inclusive in Italy. For me, Vivosa is unique in the sense that it's a resort, but not a village; it's an all-inclusive, but we create experiences to help people discover the area, so it's truly special," concludes Veronica Milo.
Askanews