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VIDEO | Greenland, Uruguay, Taiwan, Thailand and Estonia vying for LGBTQIA+ tourists

Flag of Thailand.

In January 2026, YouTube channel Queer Kingdom published the video ‘These Countries Want More LGBTQ Tourists!‘. Queer Kingdom is an unnamed “gay political scientist and world traveller” who has visited over 70 countries. 

According to my British-Belgian friend Jonathan, the unnamed scientist has a ‘gay American’ accent. 

Let’s take a look at the five countries mentioned. Contrary to the original ‘LGBTQ+ Solo Travel: the Best Cities to Visit?‘ by Travel Gay (which I analysed here), Queer Kingdom doesn’t claim these are the ‘best’ destinations for queer people. It only reports on destinations vying for your pink currency. 

1: Greenland

Greenland’s bid to attract more visitors isn’t just about showing off majestic icebergs and thrilling Arctic adventures, it’s a carefully calculated effort to reshape the island’s economic future. 

For decades, Greenland’s economy has depended overwhelmingly on fishing, with around 90–95 % of export value tied to that single industry. Government leaders and tourism planners see this heavy reliance as risky and unsustainable, and they have laid out an ambitious strategy to make tourism a major revenue pillar alongside fishing and mining. 

The opening of the new international airport in Nuuk in late 2024, with its extended runway capable of handling large passenger jets, is central to this plan, opening Greenland up to direct transatlantic connections such as seasonal flights from Newark in the United States and enhanced service from Copenhagen in Denmark and Keflavík in Iceland

With similar upgrades planned for Ilulissat and Qaqortoq by 2026, the island has signalled it wants the world to come, not just the adventurous few who endured complex routing through smaller airfields in the past. 

Tourism is already contributing significantly to GDP and employment, and authorities hope that by 2035 the sector will represent up to 40 % of export value—meaning far more foreign visitors spending money across Greenland’s towns and villages. 

At the same time, Greenland is trying to grow responsibly, encouraging sustainable practices and local business ownership while grappling with the challenges of limited infrastructure and overtourism in fragile environments like the Ilulissat Icefjord

For LGBTQIA+ travellers, Greenland offers an unusual blend of raw wilderness and surprisingly progressive legal rights. Homosexual activity has been legal on the island since 1933, same-sex marriage has been recognised since 2016, and anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression were strengthened as recently as 2024, making discrimination illegal across many areas of life including employment and housing. 

Hate crime protections also include sexual orientation and gender identity, and discussions of LGBTQIA+ topics face no legal censorship. Trans people can change their legal gender without medical requirements, further underscoring a legal framework of inclusion. 

Greenland’s LGBTQIA+ rights landscape reflects its ties to Denmark while also evolving through local reforms, and while there isn’t a vibrant gay nightlife or large queer community in most settlements due to the small and dispersed population, the legal and social environment is generally safe and welcoming for queer travellers. 

In the context of a place like Greenland, attracting LGBTQIA+ tourists isn’t about advertising huge pride festivals or nightlife districts, but about offering safe, inclusive spaces in a destination that represents both one of the planet’s last frontiers and a society making steady progress on equality. 

The promise of seeing northern lights over silent fjords, kayaking past towering icebergs, or learning Inuit culture in towns where queer rights are protected can be a compelling draw for travellers looking for both adventure and acceptance in a destination few have explored before.

2: Uruguay

Uruguay has been steadily transforming itself from a largely regional stopover into a tourism success story with global ambitions, and the reasons behind this shift are both economic and cultural. 

In 2025 the country welcomed more than 3.2 million foreign visitors, generating nearly $1.8 billion in tourism revenue and driving growth far beyond the traditional beach crowds. For the government, tourism isn’t simply about filling hotels; it’s a strategic priority that fuels employment, diversifies the economy, and brings international spending into everything from Montevideo’s historic streets to the sun-drenched beaches of Punta del Este

Investments in promotional campaigns like Uruguay Sorprende, participation in global fairs, favourable pricing strategies, and tax incentives such as VAT exemptions on accommodation and partial refunds on dining and rentals have all been designed to strengthen Uruguay’s appeal year-round and across a wide spectrum of travellers. 

Summer forecasts at the end of 2025 pointed to one of the strongest seasons yet, with expectations that visitor numbers could rival or exceed the best years on record as international demand grows. 

Uruguay’s solid performance isn’t just about quantity either; tourism officials note that visitors are staying longer and spending more, reflecting the country’s broadening appeal. 

For LGBTQIA+ travellers, Uruguay has cultivated an especially inviting reputation that harmonises with its wider tourism push. With some of the most progressive legal protections in Latin America, including early legalisation of same-sex marriage, robust anti-discrimination laws, and comprehensive recognition of gender identity, Uruguay stands out as a destination where diversity is not only tolerated but celebrated. 

Montevideo in particular has developed into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with an openly welcoming queer scene, from inclusive bars and cultural spaces to one of the region’s most spirited Pride celebrations, Marcha por la Diversidad

Punta del Este’s glamorous beach culture and inclusive nightlife have increasingly drawn LGBTQIA+ visitors seeking both relaxation and community, while historic Colonia del Sacramento offers romantic charm and safe exploration. 

Uruguay’s consistent high rankings in global gay travel indexes reflect not only the strength of its legislation but the warmth of its social acceptance and hospitality, making it one of the few South American countries that successfully combines world-class tourism with genuine inclusivity. 

In Uruguay, the message to LGBTQIA+ travellers is clear: come for the beaches, cities, culture and nature, but stay because this is a place where you can experience it all in an atmosphere of openness and respect. 

That blend of progressive values and genuine friendliness has become a powerful part of Uruguay’s tourism identity, encouraging queer explorers to add this welcoming South American gem to their travel itineraries.

3: Taiwan

Taiwan’s appeal as a travel destination in 2025 and beyond is rooted in a broader strategy to bring more international visitors while showcasing what makes the island uniquely compelling: dynamic cities, rich culture, dramatic landscapes and a reputation for openness that sets it apart across much of Asia

The country has been actively promoting tourism through improved infrastructure, cultural marketing campaigns abroad, and visa reforms that make short-term stays easier for citizens of several Southeast Asian countries under trial visa-free arrangements. At the same time, authorities are investing in events, exhibitions and festivals that stretch beyond traditional sightseeing, turning Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and other urban hubs into year-round magnets for visitors who want both metropolitan energy and easy access to nature, heritage sites and culinary delights. Tourism officials have emphasised not only the economic benefits of attracting more travellers but also the cultural exchange that comes with it, pairing domestic promotional initiatives with international showcases in markets like North America to raise Taiwan’s profile as a welcoming and vibrant destination.

For LGBTQIA+ travellers in particular, Taiwan has become one of the most remarkable success stories in Asia. In 2019, it made history as the first place in the region to legalise same-sex marriage, a milestone that reverberates far beyond its shores and has helped position the island as a beacon of equality and human rights in a part of the world where such legal protections are still rare. 

Taipei Pride, held every October, has grown into the largest LGBTQIA+ celebration in East Asia, with around 150 000 people taking part in 2025 in a massive, colourful march that draws locals and visitors alike and reflects a culture of inclusivity that goes beyond a single parade. 

Across the island, cultural expressions of queer identity—whether in year-round film festivals, themed tours and events during Pride month, or LGBTQ-friendly nightlife and art spaces—have blossomed into a thriving scene that tells a story of progress, pride and community.

Taiwan’s public affirmation of diversity isn’t just symbolic: rainbow crosswalks in Taipei, specialised sightseeing buses during Pride, and tourism campaigns that feature LGBTQIA+ influencers and partners all help weave queer visibility into the broader travel narrative. 

These efforts underscore something many visitors note: in Taiwan, being open with who you are feels natural rather than risky, and that sense of safety and acceptance resonates with travellers who might feel more constrained in other parts of Asia. 

For a queer traveller seeking adventure, culture, gastronomy and community in a place that celebrates both individuality and inclusiveness, Taiwan offers an experience that’s both welcoming and inspiring—a destination where the joy of discovery goes hand in hand with the freedom to be yourself.

Café Dalida in Taipei.

4: Thailand 

Thailand’s renewed tourism push is both ambitious and carefully recalibrated. After years of disruption and uneven recovery, the country is no longer chasing sheer volume alone, but is repositioning itself as a premium, high-value and experience-driven destination. 

In 2025, tourism numbers dropped 7%, while neighbours Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines grew. The armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia doesn’t help.

For 2026, the government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are targeting 36.7 million foreign arrivals and around 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue, signalling confidence that Thailand can once again operate at the very top tier of global travel. The emphasis has shifted decisively towards quality over quantity, sustainability over mass tourism, and longer stays with higher spending rather than short, low-margin visits. This strategy recognises both the pressures of overtourism in hotspots such as Phuket and Bangkok, and the growing global demand for wellness, authenticity and personalised travel.

At the heart of this approach is the so-called ‘Amazing 5 Economy‘ framework, which reshapes how Thailand presents itself to the world. Wellness and medical tourism play a central role, with Thailand positioning itself as a global hub for health retreats, spa culture, preventative medicine and recovery travel under the banner that healing is the new luxury. 

Alongside this, niche and sub-culture tourism is being actively cultivated, from film and television production to yachting, cruising, private aviation and even highly unconventional interests. The nightlife economy is also being extended and formalised, encouraging cities to become safer, more vibrant destinations after dark and increasing visitor spend beyond traditional daytime sightseeing. 

Sustainability is woven throughout, with a strong emphasis on circular economy principles, while digital platforms are being upgraded to create smoother, cashless and app-based travel experiences from arrival to departure.

Thailand is also leaning heavily into cultural soft power to amplify its global appeal. The so-called ‘Lisa Effect‘, centred on global pop icon Lalisa Manobal of BLACKPINK, is being used to refresh the ‘Amazing Thailand‘ brand and connect with younger, global audiences. 

Major international events, including the planned hosting of Tomorrowland from 2026, are designed to reposition Thailand not just as a beach destination, but as a world-class events and entertainment hub.

 At the same time, the government is stimulating domestic tourism through tax incentives, aiming for more than 200 million local trips annually, which helps stabilise the sector and spread tourism income beyond international gateways.

For LGBTQIA+ travellers, Thailand’s tourism strategy builds on something the country already has in abundance: a long-standing reputation as one of Asia’s most open, visible and socially accepting destinations for queer visitors. 

Same-sex relationships are legal, discrimination protections have strengthened in recent years, and the legal recognition of same-sex marriage has cemented Thailand’s position as a regional leader in LGBTQIA+ equality. 

In practice, this translates into a travel environment where queer visitors are highly visible and largely unremarkable in the best possible way, particularly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya, where LGBTQIA-friendly hotels, nightlife, cultural spaces and events are deeply embedded in the tourism ecosystem.

Thailand’s focus on wellness, nightlife, festivals, digital nomadism and creative sub-cultures aligns naturally with LGBTQIA+ travel trends, which often prioritise safe environments, vibrant urban life and experiential travel over passive sightseeing. 

Pride celebrations, drag culture, queer nightlife and inclusive beach destinations already attract LGBTQIA+ visitors year-round, while the broader move towards premium, lifestyle-driven tourism makes Thailand especially appealing to high-spending queer travellers seeking both comfort and freedom of expression. 

Crucially, Thailand does not market LGBTQ+ tourism as a niche add-on; inclusivity is treated as part of the mainstream travel offer, reinforcing the sense that queer travellers are not guests on the margins, but fully part of the country’s tourism identity.

In positioning itself for 2026 and beyond, Thailand is betting that its combination of cultural openness, global soft power, diversified tourism products and legal inclusivity will keep it competitive despite currency pressures and regional competition. 

For LGBTQIA+ travellers in particular, the message is clear: Thailand is not only back, but evolving into a destination where world-class experiences, personal freedom and a sense of belonging come together in a way few countries can match.

Flag of Thailand.

5: Estonia

Estonia’s profile as a travel destination has been quietly rising across Europe, driven by a combination of authentic cultural appeal, year-round urban vibrancy and a strategic pivot towards sustainable, diversified tourism. 

In recent years the country has seen steady increases in foreign visitors and overnight stays, with cities like Tallinn recording record numbers of international arrivals and longer average stays as travellers spend more time exploring its medieval old town, cutting-edge digital culture and burgeoning food scene. 

Overall tourism statistics show a resilient rebound after the pandemic, with both foreign and domestic tourists growing year on year in 2025 and accommodation figures climbing steadily across seasons, even if total numbers have not yet fully returned to pre-2019 peaks. 

This recovery reflects deliberate national strategy: Estonia’s tourism authorities have articulated long-term goals to enhance the global visibility of the country, expand tourism exports, drive up visitor satisfaction and encourage innovative, smart marketing that highlights Estonia’s natural landscapes, historic heritage and dynamic event calendar. 

Conference and business tourism has also emerged as a lucrative segment, with international delegates spending more and staying longer, helping balance seasonal demand and elevate Estonia’s reputation beyond leisure tourism. 

Estonia’s approach emphasises sustainability, digital innovation and a year-round visitor experience rather than a narrow focus on summer peaks, tapping into trends like cultural festivals, design tourism and eco-friendly travel that appeal to curious, quality-seeking visitors. 

For LGBTQIA+ travellers, Estonia occupies a distinctive place in Northern Europe. It became the first Baltic State – and the first former Soviet Republic – to legalise same-sex marriage, with legislation that took effect at the start of 2024, and has since extended full adoption rights to married couples, putting Estonia ahead of its regional neighbours in legal equality. 

Public opinion is gradually warming to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, with more than half of the population expressing acceptance of homosexuality and support for marriage equality growing over the last decade. Anti-discrimination protections exist in key areas such as employment and housing, and a national LGBTQIA+ equal opportunities action plan has been adopted to broaden protections and ensure safer, more inclusive spaces across society. 

At the same time Estonia’s queer scene remains relatively small and intimate compared with larger Western European capitals, with most LGBTQIA+ nightlife and community life concentrated in cities like Tallinn and Tartu rather than spread widely across the country. 

Still, Tallinn’s Pride and participation in Baltic Pride attract both locals and international visitors, while bars, cultural spaces and community events create welcoming hubs where queer travellers can connect, celebrate and feel part of a visible, evolving community. 

In Estonia, the appeal for queer visitors lies not in a flashy party destination but in a place where legal equality has advanced decisively, societal attitudes are shifting positively, and a blend of historic charm, digital culture and Baltic tranquillity creates a travel experience that feels both open-minded and distinctly local. 

Whether wandering Tallinn’s cobblestone streets in summer, enjoying design and tech festivals, or discovering serene forests and coastal landscapes, LGBTQIA+ travellers are likely to find Estonia a safe, welcoming and enriching addition to their European itinerary.

Flag of Estonia.

Countries under threat 

Greenland is facing a hostile takeover by the United States. Taiwan is constantly under threat by the People’s Republic of China. Estonia feels the prying eyes of Russia. How does that rhyme with promoting themselves as LGBTQIA+ positive destinations? 

At first glance, there does seem to be a tension between geopolitical vulnerability and the active promotion of openness, inclusivity and LGBTQIA+ friendliness. Greenland, Taiwan and Estonia all sit on geopolitical fault lines, yet it is precisely this reality that helps explain why they lean so visibly into democratic values, human rights and queer inclusion rather than away from them.

For Greenland, projecting itself as an open, welcoming and progressive society is part of asserting its agency on the world stage. As an autonomous territory within the Danish realm, Greenland has become acutely aware that global visibility matters. 

Tourism, and especially values-driven tourism, is a way of reinforcing its distinct identity as a modern Arctic society rather than a strategic asset to be claimed. By aligning itself with LGBTQIA+ inclusion, environmental responsibility and Indigenous culture, Greenland frames itself as part of a liberal, rules-based international community. That narrative subtly resists the idea that the island is merely a piece of infrastructure or a resource frontier, and instead presents it as a society with its own values, people and future.

Taiwan’s case is even more explicit. Its embrace of LGBTQIA+ equality, including marriage rights and highly visible Pride celebrations, has become part of its soft-power strategy. In a region where authoritarian governance and social conservatism remain common, Taiwan’s image as a pluralistic, rights-respecting democracy is a deliberate contrast to the People’s Republic of China. 

Promoting itself as LGBTQIA+ friendly is not a distraction from the threat it faces; it is a declaration of what Taiwan stands for. Tourism plays a role in this by inviting the world to experience that openness first-hand, building international goodwill and emotional ties that are politically intangible but strategically meaningful. Every visitor who experiences Taiwan as safe, free and welcoming becomes, in a small way, a witness to its democratic identity.

Estonia operates in a similar register. As a small state on NATO’s eastern flank, its sense of security is deeply tied to its integration with Western institutions and values. Legalising same-sex marriage and actively positioning itself as inclusive sends a clear signal about where Estonia belongs culturally and politically. 

Tourism reinforces that message. By attracting visitors who value digital freedom, social progress and sustainability, Estonia strengthens its image as a modern European democracy rather than a post-Soviet periphery. This isn’t naïve idealism; it is strategic alignment. The more Estonia is perceived as a normal, liberal European country with shared values, the harder it is to frame it as an isolated or expendable borderland.

In all three cases, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity functions as soft power. It humanises countries that are often discussed in abstract strategic terms and reframes them as places with lived freedoms, personal stories and everyday normalcy. Rather than being incompatible with geopolitical pressure, promoting queer-friendly tourism is a way of responding to it. These destinations are not claiming to be geopolitically safe; they are asserting that even under pressure, they choose openness over fear, visibility over silence, and connection over isolation. In doing so, they invite travellers not just to visit, but to understand what is at stake.

Our experiences

I just returned from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Bangkok is very gay friendly. Especially the Silom district. 

I visited Taiwan in 2017 and I had a swell, gay time. I’m considering returning this year… before it’s too late. 

Danny and I visited Tallinn in August 2025. While we didn’t experience openly gayfriendlyness, the Vabamu Museum of Occupations did have an LGBTQIA+ tour on its audioguide. 

Greenland is not really on my radar. Too much nature I think. But perhaps with Oriol…?

And Uruguay? Yes, I can see myself going to Montevideo. That’s actually a good idea. But Asia made me lazy regarding personal safety. And South America has another reputation.

Baltic States 2025

  1. REVIEW | The Loft by Brussels Airlines and Lexus business lounge at Brussels Airport A-Gates.
  2. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Business Class Brussels to Munich.
  3. REVIEW | Lufthansa Business Lounge Schengen and Lufthansa Senator Business Lounge Satellite Schengen at Munich Airport Terminal 2.
  4. REVIEW | Air Baltic Business Class Munich to Tallinn.
  5. REVIEW | Swissotel Tallinn.
  6. TALLINN | Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Estonian Maritime Museum.
  7. TALLINN | Estonian History Museum at the Great Guild Hall.
  8. TALLINN | LGBT tour at Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom.
  9. RAIL BALTICA | Baltic operators launch joint tender for regional trains.
  10. ESTONIA | How to spend a day in Tallinn.
  11. REVIEW | Pullman Riga Old Town.
  12. LATVIA | Riga Castle.
  13. LATVIA | Jugendstil in Riga ft Riga Art Nouveau Centre and Janis Rozentāls and Rūdolfs Blaumanis Museum.
  14. RIGA | National Library of Latvia and the Latvian Railway History Museum.
  15. RIGA | Baltā Kaza – Riga Ghetto – Latvian Academy of Sciences.
  16. REVIEW | 3 Pavāru Restorāns / 3 Chefs Restaurant in Riga.
  17. RIGA | Museum of the Barricades of 1991 and Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
  18. LATVIA | Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.
  19. LATVIA | 1.5 days in Riga.
  20. RAIL BALTICA  | Tallinn – Valga / Valka – Riga – Vilnius by train.
  21. REVIEW | Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Vilnius.
  22. LITHUANIA | Railway Museum and Rail Park in Vilnius.
  23. VILNIUS  | Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Gediminas’ Tower.
  24. REVIEW  | Restaurant Ertlio Namas in Vilnius.
  25. VILNIUS | Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights.
  26. LITHUANIA  | Two days in Vilnius.
  27. REVIEW | Narbutas Business Lounge at Vilnius Airport.
  28. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines operated by Air Baltic Business Class Vilnius to Brussels.
  29. BALTIC STATES | A week for Tallinn in Estonia, Riga in Latvia and Vilnius in Lithuania by train, exploring Rail Baltica.

More on Taiwan

Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur 2026

  1. PREVIEW | Malaysia(n) Grand Prix 2026 Sepang Circuit behind the scenes tour.
  2. THAILAND + MALAYSIA | Questions for a first time in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
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LGBTQIA+ and travel

🇧🇪 Blogger, keen vexillologist, train conductor NMBS/SNCB, traveller, F1 follower, friend of Dorothy.

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