Tomas Sjödin and Urban Ringbäck, key figures in the Church of Smyrna in Gothenburg, will reunite after several years to take the reins of the Scandinavian Tourist Church in Gran Canaria, assuming temporary responsibility after the New Year. Gothenburg and Gran Canaria, thousands of kilometers apart, will become the meeting points of a heartfelt collaboration. Tomas Sjödin and Urban Ringbäck, two well-known names in Swedish religious circles for their work together in the Church of Smyrna (Smyrnakyrkan) in Gothenburg for many years, have announced a professional and spiritual reunion in the Atlantic.
Following the New Year, Sjödin and Ringbäck will jointly assume temporary leadership of the Scandinavian Tourist Church (Skandinaviska Turistkyrkan) in Gran Canaria. The news has been met with interest, given the distinguished careers of both leaders. Tomas Sjödin is one of Sweden's most popular voices, known for his work as a pastor, speaker, and writer, and for his focus on themes of peace, silence, and time management in modern life.
Urban Ringbäck, for his part, has been a key figure in the growth and development of the Church of Izmir, one of the largest and most influential Pentecostal churches in Sweden. His experience in leadership and community management will be crucial for the church's development on the island.
Gran Canaria has established itself as the leading destination for Scandinavian tourists during the winter months, generating a constant demand for social and religious services. The Scandinavian Tourist Church plays a crucial role, not only offering religious services in their language but also serving as a social hub and support center for the large community of Scandinavian residents, both temporary and permanent. The appointment of Sjödin and Ringbäck, although temporary, ensures that the church on the island will have experienced leadership with deep connections to the Scandinavian market, guaranteeing the continuity of its service to the Nordic community during their stay in the warm climate of the Canary Islands.
Sweden and Denmark: Both markets experienced very robust growth. Swedish tourists increased by almost 33% (reaching 7.007), and Danish tourists saw an increase of over 38% (with 10.580 tourists). This growth in the Swedish and Danish markets, along with the spectacular 57% increase in the small number of Finnish visitors, demonstrates a renewed appetite for the Canary Islands in Scandinavia.
The counterpoint is Norway, a traditionally strong market, which registered a decline of almost ten percent in September (12.380 tourists). This was the largest percentage decrease among all the nationalities analyzed in the report, posing a strategic challenge for Gran Canaria, given the strong presence of the Norwegian community on the island. This dual context—with Sweden and Denmark on the rise, and Norway declining—underscores the importance of figures like Sjödin and Ringbäck, with their deep connection to the Nordic communities, assuming the temporary leadership of the tourism sector. Their presence and leadership will be key to maintaining the social and spiritual bond with a diaspora that is, in turn, Gran Canaria's most loyal economic engine.
