We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sergio Longo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sergio below.
Sergio , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I was born and raised in one of the most beautiful places in the world — Sicily — and I’ve always worked in the tourism industry. Since 2001, I’ve held a degree in Tourism Economics, and I spent ten years working abroad.
The idea of starting my own company came from the fact that I had spent a decade away from my hometown and from Sicily. At a certain point in life, I decided to come back and put into practice everything I had learned — still within the tourism sector.
When I returned to Sicily, there was a quote that kept echoing in my mind, from one of my heroes, Judge Paolo Borsellino. He once said, “I had decided to stay, and I had to give meaning to that choice.” That quote really stuck with me — and that’s where the idea of creating a tourism services company was born.
And that’s exactly what I did. Of course, I feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction in being able to show Sicily through my eyes. As I always say, my goal is to make people feel like Sicilians — even if just for a day or more.
Today, it’s been 11 years since I started this company, and I continue to run it with great passion, alongside a team of dedicated collaborators.
Running a business in Italy, however, isn’t always easy — between taxes, bureaucracy, endless restrictions and paperwork, it can be quite frustrating.
Sergio , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My company is called SicilyMood Srl – Experience the Real Sicily, and it specializes in luxury tourism services in Sicily. We are proud to have collaborations and exclusive partnerships with several international brands — one of the most notable being Belmond Spa, part of the LVMH Group.
Our work begins the moment a client shares details about their tastes, preferences, priorities, and most importantly, their needs.
We craft tailor-made itineraries designed to create an unforgettable vacation.
Our greatest strength lies in what we call “experiences” — activities that are unique to our region and cannot be replicated elsewhere. Each year, we follow the latest travel trends and have realized that travelers increasingly value authentic connections with locals and enjoy participating in activities just like a local would. That’s why nearly all of our services are carried out by professional local guides, ensuring even the smallest curiosities about the territory are satisfied.
The experience I’m most attached to takes place on a lake in Messina — a lake connected to the Ionian Sea, known for its clam farming. Our guests have the chance to spend time with local shellfish farmers, working alongside them, learning about their craft, and then enjoying a meal in their home — a typical Sicilian house — with traditional, homemade recipes.
This unique experience exists thanks to the determination of a few local young people (from Pro Loco Capo Peloro and Cooperativa Lago Grande) who, despite Italian bureaucracy and endless restrictions, managed to make it happen.
Beyond the unique experiences, we also offer a wide range of other services — including more fun and adventurous tours, like boat trips through the stunning Sicilian sea, or quad excursions through the mountains with breathtaking views of the highest active volcano in Europe!
What I enjoy most is being among people. I find real joy in seeing others happy in my land. I truly felt the need to share the paradise I live in.
So, if you’re looking to experience something real and authentic, I’ll be waiting for you here in Sicily!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Well, I believe resilience is something all Italians have in common. On top of that, I’m Sicilian, from Messina — a city that has been destroyed dozens of times but has never truly fallen. So, resilience is in my soul. Though I’m still not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
As I mentioned earlier, doing business in Italy is extremely challenging — especially for small enterprises. Between bureaucracy, lack of services, high taxes, and countless regulations, it really feels like a jungle.
Then there’s also the matter of what kind of company you want to run. Mine is based on transparency in all relationships and the utmost respect for everyone who works with me.
Of course, the most difficult moment was during the COVID period — with borders closed, it was incredibly hard to keep going. But fortunately, we’re still here, and we’re grateful for that.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Well, I believe I’ve made it this far (even though I still feel like I’m just getting started 😊) thanks to the passion I have for my work and for my homeland.
In the beginning, I did a lot to gain a foothold in the market. I was younger and had more energy, but I remember it wasn’t easy — I faced a lot of rejection and closed doors. Still, being stubborn by nature, I kept pushing until I found my path.
Lastly, I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I think people also trust me because of the obsessive attention to detail I bring to everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Sicilymood.com
- Instagram: Longheras
- Facebook: Sergio Longo è sicilymood
- Other: Tik tok
Sergio Longo
