We met Pierluigi Catto, owner of the “Villaggio dei Fiori” camping-resort in Sanremo (IM). Catto is a competent and creative entrepreneur, attentive to the desires of tourism demand and capable of transforming his “business ideas” into concrete actions, overcoming enormous bureaucratic difficulties encountered in each project. Over the past five years he has continued to invest by creating new pitches, updating service blocks, installing new suites and cottages and expanding his offer towards glamping. In 2017 it created a new modern building that houses the reception, with a structure entirely made of high quality wood and cork, which make it efficient and with low consumption, as well as self-sufficient from an energy point of view thanks to the photovoltaic modules that cover the roof. It is the first structure in Italy certified “Casaclima Gold”. In 2011 he bought the “Tiro a Volo”, a structure adjacent to his campsite and facing the sea, where a hotel with a SPA will be built. We went to see him to ask him some questions. Here’s what he told us.
How do you see this reopening after long months of lockdown?
Pierluigi Catto: It seems fair to premise that we have closed, inevitably, after 44 years of always open business. Reopening the facility is a great satisfaction, but despite being optimistic, I see the future a bit gray. Something is moving (see the pitches on the sea), but for now there are still few foreigners. For us, the first customer is German and then Swiss. In short, reservations are slow for now. It will be necessary to insist on the promotional campaign that can affect especially the months of September and October.
What news are you working on?
Pierluigi Catto: For this season we have made a few but interesting improvements: we have obtained more spacious pitches by moving the playground to a more suitable position, we have added the climbing gym, given a new look to the bar, and installed new mobile homes and suites. Finally, we have arranged the two beaches: the one in the small bay and the one on the cliff. Over the years I have invested a lot of resources to make improvements to the structure as a whole, but with the guest always at the center of attention. I did this by overcoming major bureaucratic difficulties that are still present in the implementation of the new projects that, at the end of the works, will transform the Villaggio dei Fiori into a heterogeneous tourist complex (village, camping, rest area, hotel, and wellness center).
What is the situation regarding energy efficiency?
Pierluigi Catto: We have dedicated ourselves a lot to energy saving: with photovoltaic modules we produce energy up to 80 kW, with an average annual production of about 70,000 kW. Regarding the production of hot water, we have just changed, after 21 years of honorable service, the solar panels which cover an area of 250 square meters, and which produce 15,000 liters of hot water per day. We are thus able to supply hot water at no cost to around 800 people per day. In this way, the public showers, but also those of the suites and mobile homes, are totally autonomous. This new hot water production system should also be used in winter to heat the bar and restaurant.
You are the only Italian campsite that adheres to the Sunelia network, what does it offer you and what advantages does it give you?
Pierluigi Catto: I used to be on the board of directors of Sunelia, now I am one of the wise. This network is not doing very well, as I think it is for other associations and tour operators in the sector. The internet is taking everyone by surprise.
You have always had the competition of a municipal motorhome parking area in front of the campsite. But now this situation is about to change, right?
Pierluigi Catto: Exactly. I had the concession for 30 years of that space. I presented the “Green Park” project financing which includes a motorhome parking area and a public park. The project was approved with an estimated cost of around €4 million. It is a very important redevelopment for our area and the image from my campsite and other tourist and collateral facilities will also benefit.
Roberto Vitali – Village for all