Budget airline markets Auschwitz as tourist destination ...

The Wizz Air discount airline has come under scathing criticism for featuring the town of Auschwitz as a must-see tourist destination without mentioning that at least one million people, most of them Jews, were murdered there.

An article entitled "Must-See Places in Poland" appeared in the June 2014 issue of the Wizz Inflight Magazine.

One of the places highlighted was the Polish town of Oswiecim, better known as Auschwitz, which the magazine promoted without mentioning the mass murder for which the town is notorious.

“Welcome to the city of Oswiecim," the magazine reads, "where you can enjoy walking through the narrow alleyways of the ancient city, or climb up to the top of the hill and visit a majestic fortress from the middle ages.”

The fortress’ museum features a “40-meter-high tower offers an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding area.”

The magazine does mention Jews, but in a way that might lead one to believe that Jews enjoyed a harmonious history in Auschwitz.

“Don’t miss the recently renovated synagogue, where you can learn about the mix of Jewish and Polish culture in Oswiecim,” reads the magazine.

In a statement, Wizz Air said it regretted the advertisement which “was perceived as offensive by some readers because the city, known as Auschwitz during the German occupation, promotes its cultural heritage and regional landscape with no mention of the memorial at the Auschwitz death camp.”

“Wizz Air apologises for any offense caused by this advertisement produced by the Oswiecim city tourism office.”

EJC