It may have been the most cynical move to exploit the ongoing Greek crisis – and it is coming from the least likely source: one of the most reputable media organisations in the world, famous for its left-leaning ideals. UK-based media giant Guardian was forced to take down an advertisement for a “Greece & the Euro” holiday package, promising an “educational and informative tour of modern Greece.”
The Guardian Holiday webpage stated that the package was “exclusively designed for Guardian readers” by Political Tours, an agency specialising in “tailor-made trips for people with a passion for international affairs,” as the operator’s website describes.
“Get an inspiring and educational overview of modern Greece, highlight the lessons learnt from the recent crisis and the resilience of the Greek people,” read the advertisement for the seven-day tour.
At a cost of 2,500 GBP (approximately $4,600), which would not include air fare, prospective travelers were promised to “get unrivalled access” to NGO’s and charities dealing with the refugee and austerity crisis, meet journalists (including the Guardian’s correspondent Helena Smith), experts and politicians (not least among them one unnamed “ex-minister”), visit a vineyard and winery cooperative and ponder on the sustainability of this kind of indursty, visit Syntagma square and “discuss the protests there” and, more importantly meet local families and learn about their lives, exploring “the financial crisis in microcosm and the charities supporting people through austerity.”
The advertisement was met with fierce backlash by Guardian readers from all over the world, deeming the excursion as a demonstration of “misery tourism” and “crisis porn,” an exploitation of Greece’s hardship, resulting to a flood of irate posts on social media.
“As if Greece hasn’t been through enough without a bunch of Guardian readers trouncing around on safari,” London-based political reporter John Johnston tweeted. “Alternatively, save your £2.5k and go and visit Greece like a normal person and help support local businesses. Believe me, you will still be able to ask questions.”
This type of criticism led Guardian to take down the advertisement. “On reflection we have now paused this project in order to reconsider our approach,” the company said, in a statement to rival news outlet Al Jazeera.