Last night in Cannes: John Travolta and Kelly Preston were flown in to host a high priced event promoting an environmentally controversial project. The couple were brought to Cannes to shill for a proposed billionaires’ paradise in Belize, an island in the Caribbean. Puerto Azul is under attack in Belize by just about every local group because it threatens protected and historical sites in Belize.
Puerto Azul, according to reports, could very negatively impact the Blue Hole, a World Heritage site in Belize that some believe could be named the 8th Wonder of the World. In 2012, the Great Blue Hole was cited by the Discovery Channel as number one on its list of “The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth”.
The Travoltas have long been used as spokespeople by last night’s promote Oscar Generale (he’s a person), who puts together these events. Some of the other celebrities who attended last night– Heidi Klum, Adrien Brody, Rosario Dawson– may have thought the flashy gathering at the very very posh St. George villa in Cannes was for charity.
Alas, the event was to raise money for the massive enterprise under attack in Belize. The main investor is “business man” Domenico Giannini. He’s really just a real estate developer who’s been clever enough to use celebrities as his pitch men and women.
The Puerto Azul development in Belize would be a radical addition to the island. It would include an exclusive resort, hotel, golf, villas and spa, on Northern Two Caye (960 acres) and Sandbore Caye (10 acres), suitable to accommodate 1,000 guests and 2,000 employees. The plans call for an underwater lab, shopping centers, restaurants and bars, a golf club house, spa, airstrip and marina.
Tonight the Travoltas head to another celebrity appearance at the annual amFAR dinner in Antibes, where millions are spent. Rain and thunderstorms currently threaten the event.
