The Colosseum in Rome has not hosted gladiator fights for two millennia. That could soon change, however, thanks to a $1.5 million sponsorship from short-term rental platform Airbnb. Thus, the Colosseum should welcome tourists from May 2025 ready to play the game of combat-spectacle. An idea that the rental giant justifies by the desire to promote “a more conscious tourism”.
Visitors and activists against poor housing, however, say they are skeptical, reports ABC News. Particularly because short-term rental platforms are accused of fueling overtourism in many cities, while driving up housing prices for residents and students.
According to the agreement announced Wednesday, November 13 by Airbnb and the Coliseum, the sponsorship of the former will allow the latter to renew an educational program to discover the history of the place and that of the gladiators. Eight users of the platform and one person of their choice will be able to participate in mock fights on May 7 and 8, 2025, taking the same underground path to reach the arena as that used in the times of ancient Rome. Participants can register for free from November 27 to try their luck at being chosen by drawing lots.
Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, Alfonsina Russo told the Associated Press that the deal was part of promoting the film Gladiator II by Ridley Scott, in theaters since November 14 in Italy. According to her, the agreement does not make any difference from other agreements of this type intended to finance projects in the park.
One more piece in the mass tourism machine
For his part, Alberto Campailla, coordinator of the non-profit organization Nonna Roma, which fights for housing and food for the poor, describes the campaign with Airbnb as “shame” and shape of «touristification». According to him, platforms such as Airbnb “literally driving people out not only of the city center, but also of suburban neighborhoods.”
Some tourists are also surprised by this type of partnership. Jaime Montero, for example, a tourist from Madrid visiting Rome, comments: “It seems to me that the purpose of the Colosseum today is to be a tourist attraction, not to create an amusement park inside. Ultimately, tourism eats away at the essence of cities, in Rome as in other capitals.”
Neapolitan tourist, Salvatore Di Matteo affirms for his part that this agreement is yet another takeover of the territory by big companies: “If they start touching sacred monuments like the Colosseum here in Rome, that’s obviously something that should give us pause and is a bit worrying.”
Erected at Iis century, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater built by the ancient Romans. It was a popular entertainment center at the time, hosting hunts and gladiator games until the 6th centurye century.
Source: www.slate.fr
