“Cortina Ambassador 2026”: community tells the world about itself ahead of the Games

Today, in the Council Chamber of the Cortina d’Ampezzo City Hall, the “Cortina Ambassador 2026” project was officially presented, an initiative of the municipality carried out in collaboration with Cortina Marketing, created to enhance the most authentic and vital face of the Queen of the Dolomites in view of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The project focuses on people, community and territory, and was born with the desire to tell the story of Cortina not only as a tourist destination, but as a place of life, identity and rootedness, where mountains, culture, sports and tradition are intertwined every day.

The Cortina Ambassadors 2026 are citizens, sportsmen, artisans, chefs, entrepreneurs, rulers, experts in culture and nature: diverse figures but united by a strong bond with Cortina, who have made themselves available to tell their experience and vision of the resort to the media, influencers and visitors, becoming the true protagonists of the Olympic reception.

During today’s presentation, official nomination scrolls and uniforms were presented to 30 Ambassadors, including: Manuela Angeli, Bruno Alberti, Franco Sovilla, Flavio Menardi and many others….

The project is part of the “Cortina Welcome 2026” program , a broader system of actions dedicated to tourist information and hospitality during the Games. With “Cortina Ambassadors 2026,” the Queen of the Dolomites confirms its ability to welcome the world, starting with what it has most precious: its people.

Statement by Roberta Alverà, Councillor for Culture and Deputy Mayor of Cortina d’Ampezzo

“The Olympics represent a historic moment for Cortina that will leave an important legacy in terms of infrastructure, mobility and accommodation. But above all, they offer our resort a huge opportunity for tourism visibility. It is essential to know how to seize this moment and work already today to build Cortina’s tourism future.
Through projects like Cortina Ambassador 2026 and Cortina Welcome 2026, we are implementing concrete strategies to promote the most authentic, complete and diversified image of our offer: sports, culture, food and wine and traditions. Thanks to the Ambassadors, it will be the voices of citizens, artisans, sportsmen, and local experts who will tell Cortina to the
world, with pride and passion.”

Gianluca Lorenzi, Mayor of Cortina d’Ampezzo

“To see all generations represented among the Ambassadors today is a source of great satisfaction for me. Each of them brings with them an experience, an authentic story that will give strength to the Cortina narrative. This project is an important step toward building the Cortina of the future: we are facing great transformations, and we need energy, responsibility and visions. The Ambassadors will be our spokespersons to the outside world, capable of conveying a positive and engaging message,
based on love for our country.”

Josep Ejarque, Strategic Advisor for Cortina Marketing.

“Being an Ambassador means loving Cortina and knowing how to tell about it. This project was created in response to a concrete request from the media, both Italian and international, who want to get to know the real Cortina, the one experienced. The role of the Ambassadors is precisely this: to show a destination that is not just a postcard, but a community that is alive, active and welcoming all year round. Thanks to their testimony, we will be able to convey the real added value of our resort compared to other Alpine destinations.”