Roberto Ragnedda, mayor of Arzachena, tells us about a unique place in the world

Our conversation with the mayor to understand how this beautiful destination is evolving

In a season that’s already seeing record numbers of visitors, we met the mayor of Arzachena Roberto Ragnedda to discuss how the town is changing and developing as a destination. Sustainability, the redistribution of tourism flows and, above all, close collaboration between public and private - between the Municipality and the Costa Smeralda Consortium - are among the topics discussed during our interview.

Villaggio nuragico La Prisgiona

What are the ongoing developments of Costa Smeralda® and of Arzachena area in general: the values, strengths and points of excellence for the tourists of today and tomorrow?

The Costa Smeralda® project was born of a dream, fed by the natural beauty of the Arzachena coastline. 60 years ago, Prince Aga Khan and the other early investors in our area fell in love with the nature and the scenery. Today, as back then, the attractiveness of the destination lies first and foremost in its environmental attributes and their protection and enhancement. In the collective imagination, Sardinia is associated primarily with stretches of white sandy beaches, clean, transparent seas, blue skies and the unspoilt green that dominates the coastline, where human intervention has been considered and carefully planned to preserve the uniqueness of this area. As the local authority, we endorse the initiatives of companies and organisations that uphold and promote these very principles of sustainability, so that Costa Smeralda® will continue to be an exceptional model for tourism.

Il Fungo

Culture, food and wine, and sport are just a few of the themes for events that kick off the tourist season: how does the planning of large-scale events that may become annual affect the seasonal nature of tourism?

The Municipality of Arzachena has always worked hand in hand with the Costa Smeralda Consortium and with leading associations, foundations and businesses in the area in order to extend the season and offer new opportunities to attract visitors, for example major international events. From the Premio Costa Smeralda literary awards to the Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival, the Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Globe Soccer Awards, to the entire 2024 calendar of events in Arzachena, with a programme stretching from June to October, our destination seeks to strengthen its strategy to redistribute the flow of tourists across all the seasons. By doing this we instil beneficial mechanisms for the development of the local economy, to improve the standards of hospitality and the quality of life in general for both residents and visitors, helping to limit over-tourism during the months of July and August.

Scalinata della chiesa di Santa Lucia ad Arzachena, opera di Fabio Petani 'Essenze di Gallura' (ph. Isabella Chiodino)

On the future of the destination, what do you think are the points of differentiation from its competitors such as Capri, Mykonos, Ibiza etc?

It’s undeniable that our core business is the sea and local tourism. Alongside beach holidays – which are also key to these alternative destinations – Arzachena boasts an unparalleled historical heritage and deep roots in its extraordinary popular traditions. Bear in mind that there are eight archaeological sites close to the town, with the oldest finds dating back to the Neolithic Age, meaning that we have over 6,000 years of history to tell our visitors about. And think about our local food and wine specialities, which are an attraction in themselves all year round. Moreover, outdoor sports are another winning feature of the area. Sailing, rally driving, polo, surfing, trekking, cycling and climbing attract specific target groups, who prefer spring and autumn for their trips to Sardinia. And there are yet more key factors, related to the lifestyle here, the warm welcome, the atmosphere of our streets and our historic town centre, the fragrance of mediterranean plants as you walk in the countryside, the flavours you discover on our tables: in short, there’s an inexhaustible supply of intangible treasure that brings travellers to Sardinia and persuades many of them to return for holidays, or even to buy property here. This exquisite mixture of elements is the added value that differentiates our area and makes it an unmissable destination in the Mediterranean and the world”.