German tourist fined for making coffee on a bridge in Venice.

The Independent reported that two tourists, a man and a woman in their 30s, were arrested after a local discovered them preparing coffee with a camping stove next to the Grand Canal.

City officials said the couple from Berlin had violated public conduct rules. Public order laws in Venice, which receives around 30 million tourists annually, include bans on picnics in certain areas and prohibitions on going shirtless in some public places.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: "Venice must be respected, and those who are impolite need to understand that. Thanks to the local police, they will be fined and expelled from Venice. In addition, those who do not follow these rules will be reported to their respective embassies."

Venice recently introduced a controversial tax on short-term tourists in an effort to ensure visitors contribute to the city's maintenance. Last February, Mr. Brugnaro announced that tourists would be charged $5 starting May 1, 2019. The fee would increase to $13 during peak season and $16 when visitor numbers exceed permitted limits. According to the Venice mayor, the purpose of the tax is to improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Phong