Dolomist and the simplicity of hiking

Hi Matteo! Before talking about Dolomist let us linger for a moment on the people who gave it life. What is your story?
I see the mountains as a space of freedom in which to express oneself with creativity and respect for nature. A place that has always fascinated me because of its beauty that manifests itself in simplicity and silence. Where the clock hands lose sense and time passes in harmony. A place where you learn and grow; where the satisfaction of reaching the top is greater because it is done together. Here, perhaps it is in its essence, in being so much against the grain that in the Mountain and in Nature in general, I recognize myself. But my story is our story. The story of a group of friends who love nature and wanted to find a way to give back to the mountains and the people of the area all that it has given and taught us over the years.

Tell me briefly what is Dolomist, when was it born and how?
The story of Dolomist begins when, after so many adventures among hikes and refuges in the Dolomites, we were embarking on yet another impromptu trek in Val Cimoliana on a late autumn afternoon. After hours of walking immersed in a thick and deep fog in which visibility was zero we were struck by the beauty of the Val Montanaia Bell Tower that stood elegantly amidst the clouds. Suddenly we had realized that the thousands of thoughts and reasoning we had done in previous years about how to share the beauty of our experiences with other people would take shape. From that moment on, we did not stop and began to create a business that reflected the values we learned in the mountains based on respect for nature and inclusion.

What kind of experiences do you propose?
At Dolomist we offer activities that put sustainability at the center, aiming to create unique experiences that enhance nature and the excellence of the area. We offer different experience options for two specific target audiences: the “fun” and the “business”. “Fun” experiences are designed for those who want to have fun and discover the area in a sustainable way, with activities such as hiking, yoga, high altitude music, local cuisine, and master classes. “Business” experiences, on the other hand, are designed for companies and professionals who want to develop their business sustainably, with activities such as company meetings, team building, training, networking, and green development projects. In both cases, we offer unique experiences that allow participants to discover the area while enhancing its excellence, promoting slow tourism that respects the environment and local communities.

What keywords would you use to describe your values?
Our core values are sustainability, inclusion and digitization. Sustainability is at the core of our philosophy, and we are committed to ensuring that tourism activities do not harm local communities and the environment by promoting green practices in our supply chain and supporting projects and initiatives that aim to promote nature-friendly tourism. Inclusion is another key pillar; we are committed to promoting social cohesion through women’s empowerment and youth empowerment, creating opportunities for local communities. Digitization is another important aspect; we are committed to accelerating the area’s digital transition through our products and services, internationalizing our offerings, and enhancing the value of professionals in the area by providing opportunities for them to develop their business in innovative and sustainable ways.

I guess you are a close-knit team. How many of you are there and how do you work together?
We are an under-30 team that believes in both generational and gender equality. We are not interested in hierarchical structures, but in ideas. Goodness of spirit, humility and determination are the qualities we look for in the people we work with. We are a team that always puts teamwork at the center, because that is the only way we can create the best for our customers and further our mission of promoting sustainable and digital outdoor. We believe that determined people with a strong vision can change the world, and we want to be part of that change.

Tell me about a difficult time in the making of Dolomist and how you overcame it?
One of the most challenging moments during the creation of Dolomist was related to choosing the right technologies for our digital products and services. We had to evaluate several options and compare them with the needs of our target audience and business goals. We also had to consider cost and technical feasibility, without neglecting environmental sustainability.

But just as in climbing a mountain, we decided not to give up in the face of difficulties and face them with determination and willpower. We looked beyond the obstacle and saw the goal we wanted to achieve. We committed ourselves to keep climbing, step by step, overcoming every difficulty. Thanks to this positive mindset and the commitment of the entire team, we were able to overcome this obstacle and create innovative and sustainable products and services for our audience.

It is clear that you want to enhance the territory of the Dolomites. Do you plan to reach out elsewhere in the future?
At the moment, our focus is on enhancing the area of the Dolomites, a unique place in the world, rich in natural beauty and local excellence that we want to make known and appreciated globally. However, we do not rule out the possibility of expanding our reach in the future, because we are convinced that the concept of sustainable and digital tourism is universal and can be applied to many other areas of the world. Our mission is to bring the beauty of nature and the philosophy of living in harmony with it to other regions, sharing with a wider and wider audience.

Your communication is simple, very immediate and impactful. Your tone of voice is informal, why this choice?
Our communication is deliberately simple and immediate because we want to bring people closer to the mountains and allow them to experience the feelings and benefits that we also experience. Communicative simplicity is chosen because we believe that the mountains are an inclusive space of freedom in which everyone is free to express themselves while respecting nature. The communication style is a declination of a corporate desire to make the mountains accessible to all. So let’s give everyone the clear and accurate information, devoid of any technicalities that can alienate.

Immediacy is another strategic choice. Breaking point with the communication we are used to. In fact, through wonderful pictures and essential information we give people the opportunity to discover the mountains on their own and not necessarily have to read minutely on sites and reviews. Discovery for us is wonder. It is the wonder we want it to happen in the mountains. Ours is only a small stimulus.

A question that inevitably links to the previous one: what is your target audience? At the level of age groups, territory, interests and mountain experience.
Our target audience is those who are looking for unique and sustainable mountain experiences, regardless of their age or experience level. We appeal to those who share our passion for nature and the mountain environment, and who wish to discover the beauty of the Dolomites and other mountainous areas. We are looking for people who, like us, believe that the mountain is a place of contemplation and live in harmony with it. A place where one can reflect, appreciate the beauty of the world and rediscover oneself. With this in mind, we are committed to promoting slow and sustainable tourism for an appreciation of the mountains and their excellence.

I guess you already have a close-knit community: how important is this to you?
The community is the beating heart of Dolomist. We are an organization born out of passion and love for mountains and nature, and we believe that sharing is the key to passing this passion on to others. The community allows us to create a network of people who share the same values and interests, and provides us with a valuable source of feedback and inspiration to improve our products and services. For us, community is not only an important aspect, but it is critical to the success of our project. It is our engine, our strength and our future.

Future plans: how will Dolomist evolve one year from now and five years from now?
In the near future, Dolomist will continue to explore new frontiers in sustainable and digital outdoor, offering unique and inclusive experiences to an increasingly broad and diverse audience. We will invest in innovative technologies to improve the customer experience and make the mountains accessible to all, so that they can be enjoyed in a respectful and sustainable way. In the more distant future, Dolomist will become a global benchmark for sustainable and digital outdoor. We are determined to work closely with local communities to enhance the excellence of the area and promote sustainable tourism. In addition, we will continue to invest in advanced technologies to create increasingly personalized and engaging experiences for our customers so that they can discover the mountains in a different way.

What has been the most memorable moment to date within a Dolomist experience?
The most memorable moment for us at Dolomist was when we created our working team of passionate people determined to change the way people experience the mountains. We have created an environment where people love what they do, and this is reflected in the satisfaction of our customers. This is why we continue to work hard to carry out our mission and create unforgettable experiences in the mountains.