The oral sex contest in Laganas, Zakynthos, has long been known, reminds a tourism official with a long career in senior positions, speaking to Tornos News. Back in 2002, he notes, the contest was organized by Club 18–30 in cooperation with a TV channel that broadcast it live. At the time, a poster circulated showing couples in various positions on the beach.
Contests like this, or advertisements by British travel agencies promising “all-you-can-drink for five euros,” are, along with the Caretta-caretta turtles, among the most well-known features of Laganas beach, he adds. Similar—though perhaps smaller in scale—incidents involving drunk young British tourists were also reported in Kavos (Corfu) and Malia (Crete), where local authorities fought to eliminate this kind of tourism.
Therefore, no official can reasonably claim ignorance, the experienced tourism figure points out, recalling that complaints were even made to British ambassadors in Greece over such matters.
Club’s Response: The Scene Was Misinterpreted
Regarding the recent viral video showing young British couples participating in what appears to be an oral sex contest in a Zakynthos bar, the bar’s representatives told npress that it was a chocolate game and not a sexual act. However, viewers of the video may draw different conclusions, as the club suggests the scene wasn’t captured from the “right angle.”
Official Statement by the Municipality of Zakynthos
“The Municipality of Zakynthos strongly condemns any behavior or action that offends public decency and the image of our island.
The incident reportedly took place in a private entertainment venue and has no connection to any institutional or municipal activity.
Zakynthos is a welcoming and civilized destination that attracts thousands of visitors each year thanks to its natural beauty, history, and culture.
The municipality supports tourism that respects the place, its people, and our values.
We are cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure legality and order are upheld across the island.”
Timeline – Zakynthos, Laganas, and the “Club 18–30” Tourism Culture
1990s – Early 2000s
Zakynthos, especially Laganas, becomes popular among young British tourists due to cheap all-inclusive packages, sunshine, and nightlife.
Tour companies like Club 18–30 promote organized holidays focused on sex, alcohol, and “wild nightlife.”
A network of bars and clubs emerges along the “Laganas Strip,” offering drinking games, pole dancing, lap dances, and strip contests.
2002–2003
(Unverified but widely discussed) reports emerge on forums about parties involving public sexual acts, though not confirmed by mainstream media or police.
The situation escalates, attracting media attention.
2007–2008
July 2008: The most notorious scandal—9 British women arrested for prostitution after participating in an “oral sex competition” in a Laganas club.
The event was recorded and reportedly intended for online release.
Another 6 British men and 6 Greek bar owners/staff were also charged.
(Source: Reuters, CityNews Toronto)
2010–2015
Public concern grows over drunken tourists, indecent public acts, and accidents involving ATVs and bikes.
Documentaries by BBC and Channel 4 depict Zakynthos, Malia, and Faliraki as centers of alcohol- and sex-driven tourism.
2016–2019
Authorities increase enforcement and controls.
Public debate resumes over the “cost” of Club 18–30-style tourism:
Overtourism
Accidents
Unethical nightlife business practices
2020–Present
The original Club 18–30 brand from Thomas Cook has been discontinued (since 2018).
However, Laganas still follows the same model with:
Boat parties
Foam parties
Strip shows
Bikini contests
Public dares
Sites like NakedZante.com, VVIP Events, and WelcomeToZante continue to promote themed nightlife events—although without the same level of public scandal.
The Power of the Nightlife Networks
The local government of Kavos (Corfu) also fought hard against the nightlife networks. When it believed it had succeeded in cleaning up the area, it invited a group of about 15 national journalists from Athens to show them the destination’s return to normality.
During the press tour, everything was going smoothly—until one young female journalist took a photo of a man embracing a woman at a bar. The community leader commented: “There are still a few shady characters left—like the guy over there—he’s involved in drug dealing.”
When the journalist’s camera flash went off, the man charged at her, trying to break her camera. The entire press team demanded police intervention. The man was arrested and detained—but later that night, he escaped custody.
At 4 a.m., the journalists insisted on speaking with the chief of police in Corfu. When he arrived and heard what had happened, he exploded:
“I can’t take it anymore. Let me tell you what’s really going on here.”
He revealed that when he shut down major clubs for serious violations, they reopened within days following orders from Athens.
He described millions in protection money flowing across the entire network.
And he concluded, prophetically:
“You’ll go back to Athens, write your articles, and I’ll be a ‘hero’ for a few days. Then they’ll transfer me to the Evros border.”
And that’s exactly what happened. The media ran with headlines like “Wild West in Kavos, Corfu,” the issue reached Parliament—and a few months later, the police chief was reassigned to Evros.
