British Entrepreneur launches Barcelona Homeless City Tours

Sept. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- British Entrepreneur launches Barcelona Homeless City Tours

The project will be presented at the International Responsible Tourism Conference hosted by Barcelona 1-4 October 2013.

A Barcelona based social enterprise offering visitors an alternative tour of the Mediterranean capital, invites tourists to see the city through the eyes of a homeless guide.  The mainly historic tour aims to link together history with contemporary insights into the social reality of the areas visited.

Inspired by similar social projects in the UK (Unseen Tours of London and Secret City Tours of Bath) the tours will provide employment for Barcelona´s homeless and in return offer a unique tour experience of the city´s gothic quarter.

Hidden City Tours´ founder, Lisa Grace who has lived in Barcelona for over 10 years, explains, “Barcelona has more than 3,000 homeless (the last street count in 2011 noted 870 people sleeping in the street and a further 2,000 in temporary accomodation).  However the city  continues to flourish as a tourist destination, now being the fourth most visted city in Europe.  So we decided to tap into Barcelona's  booming tourist trade and put it to work to help solve the city's homeless problems by offering employment to people who want to work their way to a better life”

Lisa, who also fell victim to the economic crisis last year when she lost her job as a market research consultant, is shocked by the social reality of living in Spain.  “When you lose your job you realise just how vulnerable you are.  I was lucky to have family support but for those who don´t, ending up sleeping on the streets is a scarily close reality.”

Lisa approached a Barcelona homeless charity for possible candidates to work as tour guides.  Together with a local historian she is currently training up Juan Carlos, previously homeless but who lives in temporary accomodation provided by the charity.  Lisa is recruiting new members to join the team when the tours start next month.  “It´s a whole new team management experience, but incredibly rewarding.  The guides have amazing knowledge of Barcelona´s history and a unique insight into the city´s social reality which makes for a truely unique perspective of the mediterranean city” says Lisa.

The tours run in both English and Spanish and start October 11th 2013 – the day after World Homeless day -, priced 10/8euros adult/concession. Maximum tour size 10 people.  For more info and to book, go to www.hiddencitytours.com // END

Notes for the editor:

Join us for our launch tour 5 October 2013 – experience the tour yourselves and meet the guides!The tour leaves from the right of the Cathedral in placa nova, corner with Carrer Bisbe by the R12 information point.  The tour starts at 12 noon and will last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Limited places, please book early to ensure your place on the tour.  Tour in Spanish with English translation.  Please email lisa.grace@hiddencitytours.com

Hidden City Tours will also provide Corporate Social Responsibility partnership programs for Barcelona based multinationals and destination travel agencies.