Venetian to protect waterways in Venice

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999 | 11:38 a.m.

The Venetian hotel-casino announced today it has developed an "alliance" with a Venice group formed to protect and redevelop the waterways surrounding the historic Italian city.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after a war of words erupted between the Venetian and some political and union leaders from Venice who criticized hotel-casino owner Sheldon Adelson for replicating Venetian landmarks at his Las Vegas resort.

The Culinary Union, which has been engaged in a bitter feud with Adelson for years, sponsored a visit to Las Vegas by Venice's deputy mayor and leaders of three Italian hospitality workers unions.

Their vow to discourage Europeans from staying at the Venetian prompted the resort's chief lobbyist, Andy Abboud, to call their trip here "one of the most lame and pathetic PR stunts the union has ever done."

Abboud accused the critics of asking for money in exchange for their blessing on the Venetian and of launching their campaign when the resort refused to pay them. The officials from Venice denied those charges.

Today, the Venetian issued its own press release saying the resort has joined forces with "The Forum for the Venice Lagoon," which was formed in 1991 to preserve the waterways in the Italian City.

A Venetian spokesman said the resort will "support the group's efforts and provide them with a venue to host its events."

The announcement said the alliance will "promote" an international symposium organized by the Forum that's to take place at the Venetian next year.

"More immediately, the Venetian will begin promoting the mission of the Forum by distribution information to its guests."

The release also quoted Forum officials as praising the design of the Strip resort.

"The Venetian is a sincere tribute to Venice, done with care and great attention to historical detail," Forum President Aldo Manos said.

"Its use of traditional building materials such as Italian marble, gold, and painted murals, is outstanding. It gives a genuine glimpse of the city and it should provide visitors with the feeling of being in Venice. I was surprised and astonished by the scale of The Venetian. It is in a class by itself."

"We believe that all the people who visit The Venetian will be exposed to the city of Venice," said Roberto Russo, the Forum's general manager. "We believe there are many opportunities for the Venetian and the city of Venice to create ways to preserve and revitalize the Venice Lagoon."

"As an architect, I see the Venetian as a compilation of true Venetian pieces that give the reflection of the city itself," said Francesco Calzolaio, a consultant to The Forum.