Greece’s LGBTIQ+ Tourism Appeal Showcased at Events in Sweden

The Greek National Tourist Organization (GNTO) is actively promoting Greece as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, recently hosting events in Sweden to showcase popular locales for the LGBTQ+ community.

With Greece ranked as the 38th most LGBTQ+ friendly destination globally, according to the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, the GNTO aims to attract more LGBTQ+ tourists by highlighting the country’s welcoming atmosphere, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. This initiative aligns with the increasing number of visitors choosing Greece for their holidays.

As part of a broader strategy to enhance Greece’s visibility within the LGBTQ+ market, the GNTO office in Sweden presented several gay-friendly Greek destinations to representatives of prominent Swedish LGBTQ+ groups, including Svenska Pride, Stockholm Pride, Westpride, and Boraspride.

The presentations took place during events held at the Gälaren Glykanisos in Gothenburg and the Van Der Nootska Palatset in Stockholm.

Greece 6th on Rainbow Europe map

During the events, GNTO officials announced that Rainbow Europe for 2024 ranked Greece 6th among 49 countries, achieving a score of 70.78 percent as an LGBTQI+ friendly country, based on six different selection criteria concerning the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.

Ambassador: Greece welcomes the LGBTIQ+ community

Speaking at the events, Greece’s ambassador to Sweden, Ekaterini Fountoulaki, applauded the fact that “hundreds of thousands of Swedes choose Greece for their summer vacations”, citing unique sightseeing opportunities, wonderful weather, beautiful seas, delightful gastronomy, lively nightlife, and an overall environment that is welcoming to the LGBTIQ+ community.

The presentation of Greece as a LGBTQI+ friendly destination in Gothenburg. Photo source: GNTO

The events featured the screening of two thematic videos produced by the GNTO: “GNTO: GASTRONOMY, MODERN & ANCIENT CULTURE, SUMMER ACTIVITIES” and “Greece: A Life Changing Experience”.

“The favorite destinations of Greece for the LGBTIQ+ community excited the guests at the two events themed ‘Greece – A LGBTIQ+ Friendly Destination,'” stated the GNTO. The Swedish representatives expressed their enthusiasm for Greece’s islands and city break destinations.

Medelhavets Production & Events Manager George Zapartas, Ambassador of Greece to Sweden Aikaterini Foundoulaki, Deputy Officer of the GNTO Scandinavia Maria Zevgoula. Photo source: GNTO

Organized by Medelhavets Production & Events, the event also attracted travel agents, journalists, bloggers, and representatives from the gay weekly magazine QX. Notable attendees included Pontuz Bjelfman, president of MEDIA QX Förlag – QX magazine Group; Maria Zevgoula, deputy officer of GNTO Scandinavia; Effi Kourlos, deputy mayor of Östersund; and Georgios Kontorinis, deputy mayor of Solna.