It may sound like a big, three-day party for the maybe-not-so mythical illuminati, taking place at an opulent resort on the Italian island of Sicily. But Google’s annual, supposedly top-secret gathering of billionaires, world leaders and celebrities purports to have a serious purpose: to discuss fighting climate change and generally making the world a better place.
For this year’s so-called Google Camp, former President Barack Obama, Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry have made their way to the Sicilian seaside at the invitation of Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the New York Post reported.
Forbes travel writer Jim Dobson reported that Priyanka Chopra and Harry Styles also have been spotted at the private gathering, which has notoriously heavy security. Rumors are “rampant” that Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise and Mark Zuckerberg also are set to attend, Dobson added.
The main purpose of this year’s camp is to talk about saving the environment, with a source telling the Post: “Everything is about global warming.”
DiCaprio has described climate change as the biggest threat to future generations; he has shown his dedication to the topic by creating his own Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to address pressing environmental issues.
But there is the question of whether these very rich, powerful and famous people will address their own significant impact on the environment, the New York Post said. Both the Post and Dobson have described Google Camp guests making their way to the Verdura Resort in private jets and yachts.
The Post said Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller arrived on his $200 million yacht Eos, which has two 2,300-horsepower diesel engines. Dobson also reported seeing at least six super yachts moored off the Verdura Resort’s private beach, including those belonging to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and to DreamWorks Pictures founder David Geffen.
As for the jets, the Post cited Italian media reports to say that attendees were expected to arrive in 114 private planes. The Institute for Policy Studies, a Washington D.C.-based think tank dedicated to climate justice and equitable societies, estimated in a 2017 report that a single private jet trip burns more greenhouse gases than the average American does in a whole year.
The Post added that Perry and other A-listers also have been spotted getting around the island in luxury SUVs, including a Maserati SUV that gets about 15 mpg in the city.
A regular attendee acknowledged to the Post the disconnect between some of the guests’ proclaimed concerns about the environment and social equity and their luxury, environmentally inefficient modes of travel.
“There will likely be discussions about online privacy, politics, human rights, and of course, the environment, which makes it highly ironic that this event requires 114 private jets to happen,” the attendee said.
Page and Brin founded the camp in 2012 as their own private version of the World Economic Forum, where the world’s most powerful business leaders exchange ideas, the Observer reported. Google will spend an estimated $20 million to host this year’s summit, the Post said.
It’s hard to know how much time attendees will spend on important policy discussions, according to Dobson. Mornings are filled “with spirited discussions” on the environment, as well as on human rights, education and how to design cities of the future, “while the the afternoons are for pure relaxation and lots of food and drink,” he explained.
The Verdura Resort has two golf courses, tennis courts, a spa, pools and, of course, its beach. According to the resort’s website, guests also like to take day trips to charming Sicilian villages and ancient Greek and Roman sites, including the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, a Greek colony founded in 6th century BC.
Expect guests to also enjoy lunch on people’s yachts, with Geffen fond of posting photos of his celebrity guests hanging out on his boat, the Rising Sun, during his summer trips to different Mediterranean coastal destinations.
However, there is a rule against posting on social media during the summit, the Observer reported. Nonetheless, Von Furstenberg apparently violated that rule in 2018 by posting an Instagram photo of herself hanging out on her yacht with supermodel Karlie Kloss and Harry Styles.
In previous years, Google has rented out the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to host a sit-down dinner for 300 and a concert, the Observer added. Chris Martin from Coldplay is expected to provide this year’s entertainment, while Sting has performed in the past.
Billionaire Summer Camp: The Rich And Famous Flock To Sicily For The Top Secret Google Retreat. Chris Martin performs at the ruins for VIPS including @Harry_Styles and @katyperry, via @Forbes https://t.co/knrsqZWlpw pic.twitter.com/sfvoh16tbG
— Jim Dobson (@TheLuxeWorld) July 30, 2019
