Crowd-sourced tourism is coming to the rescue of the French capital's reputation. Mediatrium, a Parisian digital communications agency, has launched the website Nogozones.fr to debunk the now infamous myths aired on Fox News.
Earlier this month, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, a supposed expert described certain areas in and outside of Paris on Fox News as "no go zones," or "neighborhoods where neither tourists nor cops dare enter."
Among Parisians and others better acquainted with the French capital than the young journalist, the report was seen as nothing less than outrageous. Several international media sources stepped up to denounce the myth of the so-called "no go zones," which quickly became the object of ridicule on social networks. Even Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, came forward to discredit the report.
Fox News has publicly apologized since then, but the damage may already have been done among some tourists, particularly those who were already afraid of venturing off the Champs-Élysées.
But for those who refuse to let the conservative cable news network tell them how to travel, there's Nogozones.fr. The idea behind the new platform is to put tourists in touch with residents of the very neighborhoods Fox News singled out on its map as "no go zones." These residents volunteer their time as amateur tour guides to show visitors some of the highlights of their areas.
Still early on in its development, the project is currently recruiting guides. Parisians who live in the supposedly "dangerous" neighborhoods of Belleville, the Goutte d'Or, Magenta or Père Lachaise can sign up on the website. They will then be selected according to their level of commitment, the appeal of the excursions they propose, and their ability to speak at least one foreign language.
At the same time, interested tourists are also invited to sign up on the website to find out more information as it becomes available.
According to founder Lionel Kaplan, the service will be entirely free and will launch as soon as at least one guide has been appointed for each zone.
In the long term, the website is meant to evolve into a social network where tourists can leave a rating on the guides. The site will be linked to Everquity, a new photo sharing app developed by Mediatrium and due to launch in the near future.
