On 3 April 2026, Gianmarco Mazzi was sworn in before President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace, in the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, officially taking up the role of Minister of Tourism. Mazzi succeeds Daniela Santanchè, who resigned from the ministry on 25 March.
Following the ceremony, the new Minister declared: “Tourism is a world full of charm and great professionalism that requires careful attention, as it represents a pillar of the Italian economy. I am honoured by this appointment and I thank the President of the Republic and the President of the Council for the trust they have placed in me.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Mazzi on his appointment.
Best wishes to Gianmarco Mazzi, Italy’s new Minister of Tourism. His experience in the culture and entertainment sector, his ability to recognise talent and promote Italian excellence, will be a real asset in continuing to showcase Italy at its best to the world and in further strengthening our nation’s attractiveness.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
Who is Gianmarco Mazzi?
Born in Verona on 1 July 1960, Gianmarco Mazzi graduated in Law from the University of Verona with a thesis in administrative law focused on public intervention in the entertainment sector — a title that already foreshadowed the blend of culture, institutions and market that would define his entire career.
A leading figure in Italian entertainment, Mazzi is one of the founders of the Italian National Singers’ Association (Nazionale Italiana Cantanti), a solidarity initiative that has raised over €50 million for humanitarian causes over the years. Since the 1980s he has collaborated with the biggest names in Italian music — from the Pooh to Gianni Morandi, from Lucio Dalla and Caterina Caselli to Fabrizio De André. For around a decade he served as manager for Francesco Baccini.
From 1992, Mazzi managed the artistic and television activities of Adriano Celentano, working as a TV producer on major productions for Rai1 and Canale 5, including Francamente me ne infischio and Rockpolitik.
From 2003 he became a central figure at the Sanremo Festival, serving as artistic director for six editions. He oversaw the Italian edition of the talent show The Voice for Rai2, and organised the opening ceremony of Expo Milan 2015 in Piazza Duomo, featuring international artists including Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang. Between 2017 and 2022, he served as artistic director and chief executive of the Arena di Verona.
His political and institutional path
Mazzi’s institutional engagement began in 2004 as a consultant to the Ministry of Communications. In the 2022 general elections, as lead candidate for Fratelli d’Italia in the Veneto multi-member constituency, he entered the Chamber of Deputies. After serving on the Culture Commission, he became Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture, working alongside first Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano and then Alessandro Giuli, with responsibilities covering entertainment and UNESCO affairs.
In this capacity, Mazzi played an active role in securing recognition of Italian Cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida described that milestone as an extraordinary promotional opportunity for Italy’s agri-food sector and a key driver of tourist choices.
Reactions from the sector
The main tourism industry organisations warmly welcomed Mazzi’s appointment. Federalberghi president Bernabò Bocca highlighted that the hospitality sector views the choice of a figure with cultural sensitivity and management skills favourably, at a pivotal moment for Italy’s economy. He noted the sector accounts for over 4 million jobs, representing 14.4% of total economic employment.
Confcommercio and Confturismo president Manfred Pinzger also extended his best wishes, expressing confidence that Mazzi will guide the sector with competence and a willingness to listen to business needs, at a time of considerable complexity for international tourism.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli offered warm congratulations, underlining the synergy already established between the two ministries. He voiced his intention to strengthen it further, viewing culture and tourism as two indispensable pillars of national development.
