Pampering guests and making their stay unforgettable. This is the mission in which Renzo Pozzo believes, pioneer of the Italian camping and owner of the Camping Village Pino Mare in Lignano Sabbiadoro (province of Udine). An authentic kingdom, a stone’s throw from one of the most famous beaches in Friuli–Venezia Giulia, equipped with every comfort: 16 hectares of greenery, with 300 mobile homes and 355 equipped pitches that can be booked online.
The adventure of Camping Village Pino Mare began in the sixties, in full economic boom, and from that moment it has experienced unstoppable progress. Step by step, Renzo Pozzo made it grow until it became an important reality of open-air tourism, recognized both in Italy and abroad, capable of welcoming 32,000 guests every year.
Camping Business – How was this camping born?
Renzo Pozzo – Here in Lignano there were still many wild areas, even full of vipers. In 1960 we asked for the state concession for the beach, and we obtained it for 50 years. In 2010 we renewed it for another 20 years, in compliance with the laws in force. As part of this state concession, some sections belonged to the campsite, which instead was already owned by us. Pino Mare was born in 1962/63, with rather rudimentary means. From then on, we have always tried to add something and improve. In fact, we began with the inclusion of huts for the pitches, we continued over time with the houses and finally we decided to expand the extension of the campsite to make it suitable for the modern tourist. We lived through the period of the economic boom, when the Fiat 600 arrived, and everyone’s habits changed. Today we have reached a level that we consider comfortable enough for the European tourist in general, but we always try to do our best to keep the quality of the service high, which we consider the only winning weapon in any tourist activity, especially camping. A place that is a real village, with supermarkets, restaurants, bars, meeting places, and even a mayor. That is me.
Camping Business – Have you managed to make sure that, looking from the sea, your campsite was hidden by the forest: did you take into account the integration with the environment from the very beginning?
Renzo Pozzo – This was a wood, and it has remained so, even with its natural dunes. We have always maintained the integrity of the original environment. We just planted some palm trees, which are not indigenous, but tourists like them. Apart from the inclusion of these elements, we have always tried to respect the environment, transforming it with the utmost delicacy. I learned by traveling to various exotic countries, such as the Maldives or the Seychelles, to gradually adapt our campsite to European and especially American standards. A choice that has paid off over time. Now here too you can breathe a high-level atmosphere, with several elements of ethnic furniture and a lot of attention to detail.
Camping Business – You have left a lot of square footage, and therefore great comfort, to the pitches and gardens of the maxi-caravans. A demanding choice, since you could have more pitches and more maxi pitches, reducing green spaces: why?
Renzo Pozzo – First of all, the distribution between maxi and pitches proved to be a winner. During the pandemic, for example, the maxi-caravans dropped, but the pitches held up very well and the season passed without too many setbacks. As for the spaces, if it were possible, I would enlarge them further. In fact, privacy is important for everyone, especially on vacation. When a family comes to us, they can stay in a large private garden with their children or their pets, after a day at the beach or in the pool. Unfortunately, however, also for our campsite there are limits, not only physical but also of a bureaucratic nature. In Italy, in fact, we still have great difficulties in getting the tourism machine fully engaged.
Camping Business – Why did you choose to have your own restaurants and supermarkets?
Renzo Pozzo – As previously said, the quality of the service is the winning key of a campsite. Having the most beautiful sea is not enough if you are unable to excel in customer service as well. It is the smile that counts: in addition to the quality of the food, the friendliness of the staff, when serving a simple coffee or providing a reception service, always makes the difference.
Camping Business – What is one of your specific best practices, the key to your success?
Renzo Pozzo – Definitely the relationship with our employees. All the staff in our campsite participate enthusiastically in work and in any activity, always putting their hearts into relationships with customers and colleagues. And then ours is the camping of flowers. Nothing more than flowers gives joy and welcome the tourist, who comes to us to rest, to have fun, but above all to escape from the daily routine, as if they were in a fairytale world. The bright colors are part of the welcome and also this year we bought and planted about 20,000 plants and flowers for our guests.
Camping Business – Is there a regret for something that you have failed to achieve in your facility?
Renzo Pozzo – The relationship with Italy (he laughs, ed). Certainly, I would have liked more support for the sector from the institutions, just that.
Camping Business – So what are the current problems of the camping sector?
Renzo Pozzo – In reality, outdoor tourism is certainly a winning solution and in Italy most of the campsites are of a good standard and well organized. I am trying to acquire some structures, but without success: a sign that the sector is in good health.
Camping Business – Is your pool area open even in the evening?
Renzo Pozzo – Not only is access around the pool free, but in high season customers can also swim. An investment that is demanding for us, because we have to keep the catering, security, and assistance staff in service, but which, as previously mentioned, are part of those details that create the right atmosphere and raise the level of service, for which the customer decides to return. We also have 3 heated swimming pools, which you can reserve for your own use.
Camping Business – We know that you have contributed a lot to the design of your mobile homes. Can you describe some details?
Renzo Pozzo – First of all, our mobile homes are not insulated with polystyrene but with cork, a sustainable material that also ensures an excellent level of soundproofing. Furthermore, as for the gardens, we also wanted more generous than average sizes for the rooms, always with the aim of offering a pleasant stay, with attention to every detail. The houses are equipped with 3 TVs, one in each room, and 3 air conditioners, to meet the needs of all guests.
Alberto Granzotto – FAITA-FederCamping