Venice to clamp down on tourists' behavior

Officials in the historic Italian city of Venice will discuss proposals to ban tourists from sitting on church steps or in squares in their latest effort to clamp down on what they describe as "boorish" behavior.

The potential rule, suggested by the mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, means fines between 50 euros ($58) and 500 euros ($580) could be issued to travellers who are found to be ignoring the rules.

The ban would come into place after a council vote in October, the Guardian newspaper reports. Sitting down on the steps of monuments or those that surround St Mark's square is already banned.

Authorities are also considering banning music on boats, the principal mode of transport for residents. People can already be barred from the city or fined for drunken behavior and swimming or dipping their toes in the canals. Snacking on steps or while walking along the street are also frowned upon.

According to Italian wire service ANSA, serious cases could result in tourists being forced from the city and even banned from entering.

Brugnaro has made it a priority to manage the tourism industry ever since his election in 2015. He has spearheaded efforts to manage the industry, with measures ranging from fines for unruly tourists to people-counters and increased police enforcement.

The existing and proposed changes have been met with disdain from local groups and opposition.

"There is such a long list of things that are forbidden in Venice there is nothing left that you can do," said Marco Gasparinetti, who leads the residents' group Gruppo Aprile 25. "They would need to hire an extra 5,000 officers to properly enforce everything."

Each summer, a group of so-called "angels of decorum" patrol the main tourist areas to ensure people are respecting the rules. Designated picnic areas, away from the hotspots, have been assigned for the purpose of sitting down and eating, although few people are aware of this.

Venice has long struggled to manage a tourism industry that brings in about 60,000 visitors a day, outnumbering its 55,000 permanent residents.

Anti-tourist groups have previously fought back, blaming tourism for overcrowding and house price increases which mean residents are priced out of the market.

Barriers were even implemented to divide locals and tourists, to allow the former to continue their day without interruption, although these were met with anger by locals and some were torn down.

Last year, Venice's city council approved measures proposed by Brugnaro, including the installation of people-counters in heavily trafficked areas, an increase in police numbers, new maps with alternative tourist routes, and the promotion of offbeat Venice landmarks.