Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and it has been marketing itself as "The G-spot of Europe" since 2018.
Camera IconVilnius is the capital of Lithuania and it has been marketing itself as "The G-spot of Europe" since 2018. Credit: vilniusgspot.com

Vilnius in Lithuania dubs itself the ‘G-spot’ of Europe in cheeky tourism campaign

PerthNow

A cheeky tourism campaign hopes to raise more than eyebrows in its quest to entice visitors to an eastern European city.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and it has been marketing itself as "The G-spot of Europe" since 2018.

The cheeky campaign’s website.
Camera IconThe cheeky campaign’s website. Credit: vilniusgspot.com

So why is this former Soviet city the continent's "G-Spot"? According to the local tourism board, Go Vilnius, it's because "Nobody knows where it is but when you find it -- it's amazing."

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The campaign's slick official website shows a woman writhing on a sheet printed with a map of Europe, her outstretched hand clutching at the spot that marked Vilnius.

Pope Francis writes on the guestbook during his visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, in Vilnius.
Camera IconPope Francis writes on the guestbook during his visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, in Vilnius. Credit: AP

the website urges tourists to "get down to business" and "build your personal pleasure map."

Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius said the eye-catching slogan was needed because the city wanted to shake of its dowdy image.

One of the many Baroque style churches in Vilnius.
Camera IconOne of the many Baroque style churches in Vilnius. Credit: Steve McKenna

" I’m so often told that upon arriving in Lithuania’s capital their first-hand impressions far outweigh their expectations," he said.

"On the one hand, this assessment is very pleasing to hear, but on the other hand, it indicates that the perception of Vilnius needs to be dramatically improved to match with the reality.”

The raunchy campaign has upset some in the devoutly Catholic country and its official launch was delayed until after an official visit by Pope Francis.

Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grusas told AFP the campaign "potentially strengthens the image of Vilnius as a sex tourism city and exploits the sexuality of women".

Former Vilnius mayor Arturas Zuokas is also not a fan, saying that "no one in the West is using sexist references in marketing any more, especially when we speak about public authorities".

But the slogan has found favour in the advertising industry with it being named best destination campaign for a city at the International Travel and Tourism Awards last night.