In collaboration with “Toscana Promozione Turistica” and with the patronage of ENIT, the “Italy Ambassador Awards 2022” were held on 29 November in Florence. The Awards ceremony took place in the splendid setting of BTO at the Leopolda Station, followed by the Gala Dinner held in the prestigious Teatro Maggio Fiorentino.
Italy Ambassador Awards is the first initiative in Italy to reward the best Influencers and Content Creators from around the World who promote the “Bel Paese”. The award, dedicated to Made in Italy, is intended to be a prestigious recognition to valorise the excellence and professionalism of the work of those who, with so much commitment, wish to publicise the beauty, culture, flavours and fragrances that characterise wonderful Italy both nationally and internationally.
In this first edition, more attention and relevance were dedicated to the ‘Travel’ category, which suffered a significant drop in sales due to the Pandemic. The collaboration with the Region of Tuscany was a virtuous example to promote Italy in an increasingly competitive and uncertain international tourism scenario.
Francesco Tapinassi, Director of “Toscana Promozione Turistica” and Scientific Director of the BTO, expressed his thoughts on the matter: We were happy to accept the invitation to collaborate on the contest, thus combining it with our BTO digital tourism event. Enhancing Tuscan tourism is not only a matter of tradition but also of innovation. Promoting typical Tuscan Hospitality was a winning element, characterised by great culture and well-known regional cuisine.
The first edition of the “Italy Ambassador Awards” had the honour of having as its patroness the splendid actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, a world icon of cinema and the perfect representative of Italy in the World.
The Jury Committee, headed by President Giorgio Palmucci (advisor to the Minister of Tourism), was composed by the following renowned professionals: Matteo Lunelli (President of Ferrari Trento and Alta Gamma), Massimo Basile (Editor & Founder of celebreMagazine World – Luxury Investment Magazine – Rinascimento Magazine), Davide Manzoni (Comfort Zone), Francesco Garofalo (Destinazione Basilicata), Sonia Peronaci (Giallo Zafferano), Ludovica Casellati (Founder of Luxury Bike Hotels and editor of Viaggi del Gusto), Monia Ronconi (Founder of HotelMyPassion), Anton Giulio Grande (Fashion Designer), Patrizia Bortolin (Wellness Project Manager and Director at La Dolce Vita Spa of the Hotel Preidlhof ), Andrea Quadrio Curzio (Founder QC Terme Spa and Resorts), Claudio De Donatis (Business Consultant Tourism Sector), Eliza Pereira (Showroom Manager MaxMara Milan Branch), Irina Shkolnaya (Stylist & Founder ‘Anna Viviani’), Alberto Lupini (Italia a Tavola) and other professionals people. The selection was conducted through a contest dedicated to sustainability.
The Digital Expert Team selected the best 100 Influencers who took part in creating a post/video/reel in relation to the Social Media with which they chose to participate (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok) and the target topics, including sustainable tourism and responsible travel, healthy and sustainable eating, sustainable & slow fashion, wellness and sustainability.
Prizes were awarded in five categories: Travel, Luxury Lifestyle, Fashion, Food & Wine and Beauty & Spa.
Each category was subdivided into five groups of followers: Micro, Junior, Expert, Advanced Blogger and Top Influencer.
To discover all thirty winners of the prestigious award, visit italyambassadorawards.com
During the award ceremony, some prizes and surprises were provided by Sponsors and Partners such as Alpen Suite Hotel in Madonna di Campiglio, Preidlhof, 25Hourshotels in Florence, Gardacqua, Hotel Savoy Florence a Rocco Forte Hotel, Planetaria Hotels, Palazzo Castri, Ferrari Trento, QcTerme, Hotel Grifone, Una Hotels, Comfort Zone, Up2You, Helvetia&Bristol, Grand Hotel Cavour, Hotel Glance, Hotel Mirage, Rental in Rome, etc.
We thank the Media Partners for great support: Luxury Investment Magazine, Celebre Magazine World, Rinascimento Magazine, Quality Travel, Giorgia Rossi Agency, Radio Bruno, Mixer Planet and Italia a Tavola.
– CLICK & ENJOY CELEBRE MAGAZINE WORLD –
It is also worth mentioning that the Awards Friendly Country promoted by the Polish National Tourist Board awarded some of the best influencers who participated in the “Destination Contest” with a trip to Poland. The best 24 influencers who participated in the Tuscany Contest will have the opportunity to participate in a Blog Tour organised with the Region to visit Tuscany’s outstanding culture, food & wine, and spa heritage.
The founder of the award, Svetlana Trushnikova, says: These awards to social content creators are not only a source of pride; in fact, thanks to their work on social media, we can convey education, information, respect for others and the environment. Today we have laid the foundation stone for building an important community of Influencers aware of their growing communicative responsibility to preserve the beauty of Italy for future generations.
The trophy offered by our partner Up2You is made of poplar wood. We chose this material in full respect of the environment. Sustainability means giving the right value to important and indispensable things that cannot be replaced, like a sincere smile. Thank you and see you soon.
A great success for which the important numbers speak for themselves: media coverage of the award was more than 15 million, 80% of which was carried by the influencers who participated in our initiative, generating event visibility of 12 million followers and a further 3 million from the traditional media.
All that remains now is to think about the Italy Ambassador Award 2023, confident of the first edition’s success and the extraordinary developments planned for its second edition. Certainly, this great event is a great added value to the communication, development and promotion of “Bel Paese”.
Enjoy even more @ italyambassadorawards.com
Article by Massimo Basile
Editorial Director @