In the new Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Seychelles, Italy and the United States have improved their rankings. Seychelles rose by 20 places from rank 99 to rank 79 because homosexuality was legalised by law. Italy now ranks 49th (previously 64th) after Parliament introduced the registered partnership for homosexual couples. The USA improved by ten places to rank 30, since now also in Mississippi, and thus in the last US state, gays and lesbians are allowed to adopt children.

“A better ranking in the Gay Travel Index is particularly pleasing for us”, comments Antonella Rossi of the Italian tourist office Enit on the improved rating in an interview with Spartacus. Enit has been dealing with the topic of gay and lesbian tourism for years, and in 2012 it was portrayed in the association’s internal Enit Journal. Enit informs gay travellers about interesting destinations in Italy such as Milan or Taormina in Sicily on its website.
A spokeswoman of the Seychelles Tourist Office did not want to give comment on the improved classification when asked.

Since 2013 the Spartacus Gay Travel Index is generated by means of 13 categories, amongst them the classification of homosexuality in criminal law, the permission of CSDs and Prides or anti-discrimination laws. “The index helps travellers to identify the most gay-friendly countries at a glance,” explains Spartacus editor-in-chief Briand Bedford-Eichler. “Complicated legislation and local customs are simplified for readers so that they can choose the right destinations and avoid dangerous countries.” Sweden and Great Britain share first place in the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, the worst being in Niger, Southern Sudan and Mali. Germany ranks 18th place.

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