Can a Travel Guidebook Make a Difference With the Migrant Crisis?

Brittany Jones-Cooper
·Reporter
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The travel guide shows illustrations by French artist Pascal Gauffre (Photo: Le Guide du Routard)

So far this year, half a million migrants and refugees have sought asylum in European countries. Many of the new arrivals have fled conflict zones around the world, including the civil war in Syria.

In addition to leaving their homes, many of the refugees have fought to enter countries where they don’t know the language, geography, or culture. To ease their transition, one travel company has published a guide book specifically geared towards migrants.

Released by Le Guide du Routard (The Backpacker) and travel agency Voyageurs du Monde, the 90-page guide is titled Hello, and provides detailed illustrations for every day activities.

By using photos instead of words, the book doesn’t need to be printed in different languages and can be used for people of all ages and nationalities. Migrants can simply flip to one of the five chapters (practical information, accommodation, health, food, and leisure) and point to the photo that explains what they’re looking for.

Related: Tourism in France Drops Following Terrorist Attacks

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By using detailed illustrations, the guide book doesn’t need to be translated into different languages. (Photo: Le Guide du Routard)

Hello will have an initial run of 4,000-5,000 copies, and will be distributed to migrants arriving in France via host associations that often struggle to find translators for new arrivals.

“We quickly realized that the problem wasn’t as much the welcome as the complexity of communication,” said Routard founder Phillippe Gloaguen to AFP.

“Among the Eritreans for example, only one percent speak Arabic and it is nearly impossible to find translators. It is an insane waste of time.”

Gloaguen has also been “ashamed” of France’s minimal efforts to help refugees, and hopes the guide book will inspire others in his country to do their part.

“These people are not delinquents or criminals, they are just families with women and children who are fleeing death.

"When we know that our grandparents’ generation risked their lives to protect Jews, I am a little ashamed.”

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