Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Lazio, the island of Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands archipelago.
A satisfying summer season
Famous for its crystal-clear waters, sheer cliffs and striking natural inlets, Ponza has always been a popular destination for those seeking a perfect blend of beauty, history and authenticity. With its Mediterranean charm, the island succeeds in combining maritime traditions with ancient and genuine experiences, offering visitors a warm welcome and time that goes beyond the classic seaside holiday. “Tourist numbers on the island this year are very encouraging, - says Mayor Francesco Ambrosino. -We recorded a significant increase from May to August, with +18% in May and smaller but still positive increases of around +5% in the other summer months. We are satisfied with this trend.” Tourism is the island’s main economic activity “Ponza has enormous potential not only for its beautiful landscapes, but also for its particular geological conformation. In fact many geologists consider it a true living laboratory,” says the mayor.
Environmental protection and the management of protected areas
Since taking office the municipal administration has placed great emphasis on protecting the territory. “We have given the utmost importance to safeguarding the island's natural riches,- Ambrosino explains. -An important step in this direction was the activation of a memorandum of understanding with the Lazio Region, which allows the municipality to directly manage the marine protected areas around Ponza, Palmarola and Zannone - the latter part of the Circeo National Park. An agreement was also reached with the University of Tuscia’s Faculty of Marine Biology to develop concrete initiatives in favour of environmental protection and the enhancement of marine ecosystems.
An island outside the box
But Ponza is not just seaside tourism. It is a place to be lived as an authentic experience. “Those who come here must experience it not as a simple holiday, but as a journey to an unspoiled place, far from the mainland. We are not a typical island, we are about 40 miles, or 80 kilometres, from the coast, and this isolation has helped to preserve our identity. There have been no major investments by outside operators or invasive forms of urbanization. Guests really appreciate the local lifestyle and the industriousness of the residents. We still have an active fishing fleet and a a way of life that is reminiscent of decades ago." Indeed, Ponza is a rare example of an ideal balance between development and conservation.
