Plans to offer Airbnb customers the change to take part in gladiator-style battles in Rome’s Colosseum have been decried as an insult to the UNESCO-listed ancient arena.

In a partnership aimed at promoting what it describes as 'conscious tourism,' Airbnb has signed a $1.5 million deal with Rome's Colosseum to sponsor a series of staged gladiator fights.

Airbnb is courting controversy through a deal announced earlier this week which will allow up to 16 lucky customers to travel to the Roman Colosseum and play gladiator. The property rental site is hoping to encourage “a more conscious tourism” through the $1.