Venice is grappling with ongoing debates about tourism and its effects on the city. While the city council implements measures to manage mass tourism, some critics argue that these efforts are insufficient. A recent initiative, introducing a reservation system with a 5-euro admission fee on peak days to improve city services, has faced opposition. Activist Marta Sottoriva contends that Mayor Brugnaro embodies capitalism, claiming “Venice is sold to the highest bidder.”

Bezos Wedding Draws Ire

Beyond general concerns about capitalism, the figure of Jeff Bezos, particularly given his past associations with former US President Donald Trump, appears to be a focal point of the protests. This contrasts with the reaction to george Clooney’s wedding in 2014 to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin,which was largely celebrated by Venetians.

“Venice is sold to the highest bidder,” says teacher and activist Marta Sottoriva.

Contrary to rumors reported by the regional newspaper Corriere del Veneto, taxi drivers deny that all of Venice’s water taxis where rented for Bezos’s wedding guests. They estimate that only about fifty of the 500 available taxis were involved. Hotel operators also seem content with the event.

Lanza & Baucina, the London-based company planning the wedding for Bezos and Sanchez, emphasized in a press release their 24-year history of organizing events in Venice with minimal impact on the city.

According to Corriere del Veneto, the couple has requested that guests make donations to support Venice’s fragile ecosystem rather of giving gifts. Additionally, the couple has reportedly donated 1 million euros to a scientific institute researching the lagoon.

Greenpeace‘s actions in Venice aim to highlight what they see as Bezos’s representation of an economic and social model leading to negative consequences. activists displayed a large banner on San Marcoplein featuring Bezos’s face and the message: “If you can rent Venice for your marriage, you can also pay more taxes.”