Greek Misery Tourism a Lure

By Nicky Mariam Onti on February 19, 2013 in Economy

 

The current harsh economic conditions in Greece, the unemployment, the poverty and despair affecting scores of thousands of Greek families are apparently an attraction for foreigners.

For many years now, foreigners have been visiting Greece because of their interest in  history and historical attractions. It seems though that things have changed as they now wish to actually “browse through” the country’s misery.

The American travel agency Contex Travel, renowned for the ultimate experience of its theme tours in cities throughout the world, is now promoting a three-hour tour in parts of Athens that reveal and reflect the Greek crisis. The three-hour tour goes under the title Greek Crisis walk, and costs 70 euros per person or 305 euros for a five-people group including a tour by economists and other experts.

The tour starts from Syntagma and the Greek Parliament. On the website which advertises the tour, tour guides make references to the political situation in Greece, to the way parties handle the crisis and the huge mobilizations of Greek citizens against austerity measures. Anecdotes are welcome, too.

The aim of this tour is for participants to better understand the underlying causes and consequences of the crisis. The walk then, continues up to Panepistimiou Street, with a stop at the Bank of Greece, so as more information is given on the bankruptcies of the past and then continues up to Sophocleous Street.

Tourists with financial literacy can be subscribed to a very specialized group tour given by experts. The tour would be incomplete without special reference to the rise of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party. If there is extra time to spare, the travel agency promises those interested to go somewhere for a glass of wine and discuss possible solutions for Greece to be saved.