Italian officials are seeking to raise about $32 million in private money to finance the restoration of one of the country's iconic landmarks: the Colosseum.

Along with private funds, Rome city hall plans to raise tourist taxes for hotels and some museums as well as other tourism services such as double-decker buses, bars and restaurants set up along the banks of the Tiber River and tour boats. The new tax would go into effect January 1, 2011.