As the world faces all manner of destabilizing threats, Jeff Bezos’ planned wedding in Venice — where he reportedly plans to shut down half of the historic city is still going ahead. And now, protests are mounting pressure on the event with calls against “over-tourism.”
We’re just mere weeks removed from Spain formally blocking Airbnb listings in the heart of its cities, with complaints that they’re trampling zoning laws and making it harder for regular people to find housing and just lead a working-class life. Life in Italy’s most famous city, Venice, hasn’t been much different. Venice already hosts multiple events such as the Venice Film Festival annually, so they know how to accommodate large crowds. But unlike these events — which one could argue enrich the culture, support the community, and most importantly create jobs — Bezos’ wedding feels more like an ostentatious display of wealth.
