Sustainable tourism: the first B Corp™ certified resort in Puglia

Vivosa Apulia Resort is the first entity in Italy, for the resort category, to obtain international recognition for social, environmental, and governance standards.

Much more than a simple certification. With a final score of 103.5, the facility located in the province of Lecce, in Ugento, is certified B Corporation™ and officially joins a global movement of entities that choose to go beyond profit, actively committing to a fairer and more inclusive economy.

This is the first entity in Southern Italy, and the first in Italy for the resort category, to obtain this recognition, a milestone that confirms the ongoing and systemic commitment to sustainability. The certification is issued internationally by B Lab™, a non-profit organization, to companies that meet cross-cutting standards in social, environmental, and governance matters. Joining the B Corp network means being part of a global ecosystem of companies that integrate social and environmental objectives into their economic activities.

The Salento resort highlights skills in sustainable resource management, strengthening local supply chains, and defining experiences oriented towards the well-being of guests. These aspects are verified through the B Impact Assessment, the system for measuring overall impact on governance, team, community, environment, and customers, with periodic checks to ensure continuity and compliance. To obtain certification, one must achieve at least 80 points out of 200.

“With the entry into the B Corp community, which globally counts over 10,000 companies and represents one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Europe in Italy, Vivosa Apulia Resort – states the CEO, Damiano Reale – consolidates its philosophy focused on environmental attention and well-being. This certification constitutes a new starting point to continue developing responsible practices and managing activities with transparency and attention to the territory".

“Being B Corp certified – explains Veronica Milo, General Manager – means transforming social, environmental, and managerial responsibility into a structural element of our work. The certification confirms that Vivosa Apulia Resort generates a measurable impact on guests, team, territory, and environment, integrating these aspects into the design of the guest experience”.

The certification process is based on key principles:

· Profit is not the only measure – the company integrates environmental and social objectives into its business model, following the principle of the “triple bottom line” (profit, people, planet).

· Controlled and improved environmental impact – reduction of energy and water consumption, sustainable waste management, and attention to emissions related to transport, suppliers, and facilities.

· Responsibility towards the territory – collaboration with local suppliers, enhancement of the community, and careful resource management to avoid overtourism practices.

· Centrality of people – fair working conditions, inclusion and well-being of staff, along with respectful and authentic experiences for guests.

· Transparency and measurement – evaluation through B Impact Assessment, with periodic checks to ensure adherence to B Corp standards.