Two tourists, a man and a woman in their 30s, were arrested after a local spotted them preparing coffee with a camping stove next to the Grand Canal, The Independent reported.
City officials said the couple, from Berlin, had violated rules of public conduct. Public order laws in Venice, which receives about 30 million tourists a year, include bans on picnics in certain locations and going topless in some public places.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: "Venice must be respected and those who are rude 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 country's embassies."
Venice recently introduced a controversial tax on short-stay visitors in an effort to ensure they contribute to the city’s upkeep. In February, Brugnaro announced that tourists would be charged $5 starting May 1, 2019. The fee will increase to $13 during peak season and $16 during periods of overcrowding. The aim of the tax, according to the mayor, is to improve the quality of life for local residents.
