Venetians protest Jeff Bezos’ lavish wedding plans amid concerns over overtourism
Some locals say the city, Venice, is too crowded for more billionaires, while officials welcome the event.
Next week, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are planning a lavish celebration in Venice, where they will marry - but not everyone in Venice is looking forward to this. Many residents have grown weary of the crowds and high prices in the city and have toured the city carrying signs that read “No space for Bezos,' as they express economic frustration.
As protests grow, Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro defended the couple’s plans, indicating that Venice is proud to host the Amazon founder. Critics like local activist Federica Toninello underscore that “billionaries and city leaders have destroyed this cityda Pacino(window); they just want to makeektually message that they need to hear.”
Overtourism tensions
Despite Venice's historic center only supporting about 50,000 people, the city attracts millions of tourism every year, affecting public spaces, housing and another local forms of life. Residents worry that the city is losing its vitality as prices rise and ways of life that cater to high paying visitors and cruise ship patrons replace local life and culture.
The concern is part of a wider backlash across Europe. Protests of mass tourism have occurred in places like Mallorca, Barcelona and Lisbon. Venice's mayor even introduced a tourist fee last years to mitigate the effects of mass tourism on the city's infrastructure.
City leaders roll out the red carpet
Despite the public backlash, officials in Venice are treating Bezos' wedding as an asset. Brugnaro referred to the Amazon founder as a "global success story" and hoped that residents would realize they host various events — from the G7 summit to celebrity weddings like George Clooney's in 2014.
The city also insisted that day-to-day life in the city would not change. Only a few water taxis and hotels had been booked for the event, and most Venetians are in favour of the event, according to a statement from City Hall. The mayor commented that Venice would continue to welcome guests while balancing the affairs of those who live there.
