LGBTQIA+ friendly Raahe region

Welcome to the Raahe region just as you are!

Our goal is for everyone to feel welcome when visiting our beautiful Raahe region. We aim to treat everyone visiting our tourist destination as equals. Through communication and guidance, we strive to create a sense of safety and belonging for all.

In the Raahe region, you will find the award-winning Raahe Archipelago, the historic Old Town Raahe – one of the country's best-preserved 19th-century wooden towns –, the tranquility of the countryside, maritime experiences, as well as pleasant nature destinations and hiking trails. Here you will find a relaxed environment, space, and peace to be yourself.

Visit Raahe is a Partner of the We Speak Gay Community

In spring 2024, Visit Raahe joined the We Speak Gay community as a partner. Joining the We Speak Gay network is a natural part of Visit Raahe's regional efforts to develop sustainable tourism, which we strive to do systematically by following the guidelines of Visit Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland program.

What is the We Speak Gay Community?

• The We Speak Gay community was established in 2018 to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusivity.
• The community's goal is to communicate about LGBTQIA+-friendly and safe travel in Finland.
• The We Speak Gay community already includes over a hundred businesses, events, and safe spaces.
• Additionally, the community has expanded with a partner network that includes numerous Finnish regional tourism organizations.

What Does the We Speak Gay Partnership Mean for Us?

• As part of the WSG community, we commit to LGBTQIA+ communication and promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusivity within our network and tourism area.
• Through LGBTQIA+ communication, we aim to increase the sense of safety for LGBTQIA+ travelers visiting our region.
• Our goal is also to enhance the attractiveness of the Raahe region for LGBTQIA+ travelers.

How Do We Promote LGBTQIA+ Tourism in Practice?

• The Visit Raahe team has received high-quality We Speak Gay training, which covers equality and inclusivity, the diversity of sexuality and gender, and LGBTQIA+ communication.
• We articulate LGBTQIA+ friendliness on our website and in our communications.
• We use the We Speak Gay logo in our communications.
• We organize We Speak Gay training sessions for our business network in collaboration with the WSG community to increase the awareness, understanding, and LGBTQIA+ communication skills of our tourism suppliers.
• We encourage tourism suppliers in the Raahe region to join the We Speak Gay community and help them develop LGBTQIA+-inclusive tourism products.
• We actively inform both travelers and local residents about LGBTQIA+ events and LGBTQIA+-inclusive services in our communications.