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

The travel experience will allow visitors to "suit up in historically accurate armor and put their skills to the test to determine their fate in battle"

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.