Say “Clooney effect,” and many people will think of George himself, and go weak in the knees. But the sexy actor has had an equally strong impact on Venetian tourism. After his September nuptials with Amal Alamuddin (now proudly “Amal Clooney”), The Daily Mail reported that UK travel searches to the city known as La Serenissima went up by more than 100%.
But it’s not just the British who want to follow in Clooney’s dapper footsteps; Hotels.com says that global searches went up, as well, about 77%. Of course, not all of those would-be tourists will be able to recreate Mr. and Mrs. Clooney’s accommodations at the Belmond Cipriani, with room rates that average around $1,000 per night. Since the couple had two weddings, one civil and one celebratory, they split their stay between the Cipriani and the Aman Canal Grande—no bargain, either, with rates that range from $1,500 on up to $7,000 per night.
Venice is never cheap; rooms usually average about $250 per night. The new interest from George and Amal Clooney’s marriage festivities certainly won’t bring prices down. Still, there are budget friendly ways to experience the magic of the city. Travel in the low season, which might mean winter, or late summer (when residents flee to cooler climes). Seek out one of Venice’s numerous cafes for a quick meal, and keep in mind that if you opt for a pricier restaurant, you needn’t feel pressured to order more than one course.
Yet celebrity watchers around the world looking for their own bit of old-style glamor won’t be deterred, and while sophisticated Venetians may have scoffed at the Clooney chaos in September, they’ll be glad of its effect in the traditionally slower winter months to come. The Clooneys were savvy about local relations, taking a gondola tour on the heels of their legal ceremony and waving—serenely—to their many well wishers.
By Kathy McCabe
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