"Misguided" - my book about a summer in Greek tourism

"Misguided" was launched in April 2022, by online Publishes Ishin Daishin, London, UK.

Misguided reconstructs in great detail the 1990s summer season Ruard spent as a tourleader on the bus, from Athens to Crete to the remote island of Chios. Starting this career out of sheer economic necessity, Ruard quickly learns how to operate in a world of conflicting interests, local tyrants and flabbergasted tourists - taking the reader on a tour where one learns a lot more about Greece than in any guidebook, while embracing the central message of the tourist trade: always keep smiling. 

He thought that his brand new degree would open the door to a posh job in Athens, but his depleted bank account had other plans. Before he knew it, Ruard became a holiday rep for a small Greek tour operator. What followed was an eventful summer of dodgy travel agents, noisy hotels, demanding customers, undercover guiding by not-so-official tour guides and coaches that were way too small (or way too big).

Readers feedback....

Very entertaining set of interlinked stories, thanks to the easy-going style of Ruard Wallis-de Vries and his vivid description of all things Greek. An eye-opening insight, too, into the Greek tourism industry from the viewpoint of someone who's been there, done that. But always through the eyes of someone who clearly loves the country, its people and - yes - its tourism sector.

Fun Greek romp...