Bezos and His Wealthy Guests Overwhelm Venice with Wedding

Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon and the third richest person in the world, has turned Venice into the international capital of the wealthy and famous this week with his marriage to journalist Lauren Sánchez. The wedding, taking place this Friday on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, located opposite the central Piazza San Marco and offering great privacy, has sparked continuous protests from locals and activists. For them, the union represents the extreme symbol of tourism's impact on the City of Canals, a place as beautiful as it is fragile. On Thursday, new protests were recorded by the local group 'No Space for Bezos', whose members projected a laser message against the wedding onto the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica. Extinction Rebellion activists, who aim to raise awareness about climate change, organised a theatrical demonstration in front of the same temple, denouncing the Amazon founder's influence over media, justice, governments, and businesses. "The wealth of super-billionaires like Zuckerberg, Musk, and Bezos continues to grow, as does their influence over politics and freedom of information, exacerbating the climate crisis and threatening the functioning of our democracies," they protested.

Away from these demonstrations due to extreme security measures and cradled by the luxury of the hotels where they are staying, more than 200 wedding guests have been partying since Wednesday. Among them are billionaires like Bill Gates and celebrities from the world of film, music, and television such as Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Eva Longoria, Katy Perry, and the Kardashian sisters. Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the former President of the United States, is also attending. This Friday, after the wedding ceremony, the couple and their guests are expected to enjoy a musical performance by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, followed by a fireworks display. The grand celebration, however, will be the next day with a gala dance in one of the pavilions of the Venice Arsenal, a venue that guarantees privacy and security. It is anticipated that Lady Gaga will give an exclusive performance, and according to some rumours circulating among the specialised press, Beyoncé and Elton John might also perform.

Unlike the activists and some locals, tired of the controls and restrictions caused by the presence of so many celebrities in Venice, the Italian authorities are delighted with the international visibility and financial return the marriage brings. "It is an extraordinary opportunity for our image and economy," stated Daniela Santanché, Minister of Tourism, in a note. She has commissioned a study suggesting that the union will generate an economic impact of around 957 million euros. This figure represents 68% of the annual turnover of the entire Venetian tourism sector. "Events like this reinforce our global image and attract new qualified tourist flows," Santanché noted, referring to the City of Canals' desire to escape low-cost tourism. To try to reduce the overcrowding caused by day visitors who do not stay overnight, the City Council implemented a system last year to control access, requiring a reservation and a 5-euro ticket during peak dates.