"Why Spend Our Money During a Fiscal Crisis?"... U.S. Ambassador Sparks Controversy with $450 Million Yacht Tour of Italy

"Coastal Diplomacy" Tour Spans Over 10 Cities for Two Months
Security Costs Spark Controversy Amid Speculation Italy Is Footing the Bill

Tilman Fertitta, a billionaire businessman and close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump, who currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, has sparked controversy by touring Italian coastal cities for two months on a luxury yacht.

A luxury yacht touring the Italian coast with Tilman Fertitta, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, on board. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

On July 18 local time, overseas media such as AP reported that Ambassador Fertitta has been traveling through Italian coastal cities since last month aboard his own superyacht, the "Boardwalk," which is valued at $450 million (approximately 670 billion won). Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, Fertitta visited more than ten cities—including Palermo, Venice, and Genoa—under the pretext of celebrating the "shared history, economic partnership, and cultural bonds" that make the relationship between the United States and Italy special. During these visits, he invited politicians, business leaders, and military officials aboard his yacht—which is equipped with amenities such as a swimming pool and a mini-golf course—for personal meetings.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome stated that "Ambassador Fertitta intends to personally cover the costs of this diplomatic tour, and it is expected that this will provide a direct means of engaging with the Italian public."

However, it is believed that Italy is incurring significant expenses to provide security for his yacht tour. While Italian authorities have not disclosed the total amount spent on security, they explained, "Under the Vienna Convention, Italy is obligated to ensure the safety of foreign ambassadors stationed in the country, which, if necessary, includes special security assignments." In response, Luana Zanella, a member of parliament from the Green and Left Alliance, criticized in parliament, calling Ambassador Fertitta's activities a "diplomatic vacation" that shifts costs onto financially struggling Italy.

Venetian protesters gathered in front of Ambassador Putitta's yacht. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Upon arriving in Venice, Ambassador Fertitta's yacht was confronted by a group of protesters made up of local residents. Stella Faye, the organizer of the protest, stated, "This is a highly unusual way to conduct diplomacy," and further criticized, "It symbolizes President Trump's model of politics, which seeks to combine political and economic power." She added, "For Venetians already struggling to make ends meet because of inflation caused by Trump's wars, this is an additional insult."

Meanwhile, Ambassador Fertitta is not a career diplomat, but a billionaire entrepreneur in the restaurant, hotel, and casino industries. Since beginning his second term in office, President Trump has increasingly appointed business leaders, major donors, and personal associates as ambassadors rather than career diplomats.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.