In Venice, activists are organising a protest against the visit of US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, who is due to arrive on a superyacht worth $450 million. The protest is scheduled for 17 July during the Festa del Redentore celebrations.
- Activists are protesting against Tilman Fertitta’s visit to Venice.
- The Boardwalk superyacht, worth $450 million, could overshadow the Festa del Redentore celebrations.
- Local residents are speaking out against excessive tourism and the extravagance of billionaires.
- The protest is reminiscent of the demonstration against Jeff Bezos’s wedding in 2025.
- Protest slogan: «Venezia non si USA».
The US ambassador’s visit sparked outrage in Venice
In Venice, activists have announced plans to stage a protest against the US Ambassador to Italy’s visit Tilman Fertitta, who plans to arrive in the city on his 117-metre superyacht, the Boardwalk. The visit is scheduled for 17 July, when the city celebrates the Festa del Redentore — one of Venice’s most important festivals.
The organisers of the protest say they want to repeat the campaign that last year forced the Amazon founder to change the venue for his wedding Jeff Bezos. During the protesters’ gathering, a call was made:
“Last year we ruined Jeff Bezos’s party — this year we’ll ruin the ambassador’s tour!”
Why are activists opposing the visit?
The protest is fuelled not only by the extravagance with which Fertitta arrives, but also by concerns about the impact his superyacht will have on the festive celebrations. Activists believe that the enormous vessel could partially block the view of the fireworks, which attract thousands of residents and tourists to the waterfront every year.
They are also concerned that significant police resources will be deployed to protect the American diplomat, which could complicate the organisation of the festival. The protest slogan, «Venezia non si USA», is a play on words that reflects their dissatisfaction.
Who is Tilman Fertitta?
Tilman Fertitta is an American billionaire and the owner of Landry’s, a chain of restaurants, hotels and casinos, as well as the NBA’s Houston Rockets. According to estimates Forbes, his fortune is estimated at around $14.2 billion. He supported Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2024 and currently serves as the US Ambassador to Italy.
The problems of overtourism
The planned protest shows that the issues of overtourism and the use of Venice for private events organised by global billionaires remain extremely sensitive for the local community. If the protest is large-scale, it could once again draw international attention to the problems facing this historic city, which is trying to strike a balance between its appeal to tourists, diplomatic visits and the interests of its residents.
