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.

Gladiator 2 sees Paul Mescal star as Lucius, son of Russell Crowe's Maximus. He's thrown into the arena to battle for his life under the tutelage of Denzel Washington's Macrinus, who has schemes of his own.

From the Renaissance city of Florence to the Eternal City of Rome, government officials, and more importantly, the residents of these ancient, historical wonders, have protested against booking platform giants such as Airbnb buying up endless properties in their historic centers and Piazzas to turn a profit: offering tourists short-term and long-term stays in their properties while residents are pushed aside;