Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding in Venice has faced local protests, with residents threatening disruptions. The wedding planners emphasize their efforts to minimize impact and support the city, denying rumors of overbooking water taxis. The event is highly anticipated amid the controversy.
Windham Mountain, a ski resort in the Catskills, has rebranded as the Windham Mountain Club, targeting wealthier clientele from New York City. The new ownership group, led by the founder of Ruby Tuesday and an heir to the Holiday Inn fortune, plans to transform the resort into a semiprivate club with exclusive amenities and high membership fees. This has sparked backlash from locals who feel left out and fear being priced out of their own community. The changes reflect the accelerating gentrification of the Catskills, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic and the influx of city dwellers moving upstate.
European hotspots are implementing various measures to combat overtourism, including entrance fees, time-slot systems, bans on cruise ships, and fines for disruptive behavior. Popular destinations such as Venice, Amsterdam, Rome, and Barcelona are struggling with overcrowding, housing shortages, and environmental issues caused by the influx of tourists. Local residents and governments are taking action to protect their cities and heritage sites, aiming to strike a balance between tourism and quality of life for locals.