Mats Lindsten ♥

It was probably no coincidence that our Mats was given the name Mats, which originates from Greece and means “God’s Gift.” 

Travel was very close to Mats’s heart; he worked for Fritidsresor for 15 years, primarily in Greece and Israel. Even after all those years at Fritidsresor, Mats continued to travel—there aren’t many places in the world he hasn’t visited. Traveling with Mats was something truly special; he had a wealth of knowledge and a joy for storytelling that made you never want to stop listening. No one can tell the tales of *One Thousand and One Nights* quite like Mats. When he got into character, you could also see his theatrical flair and how much he loved being the center of attention.

He knew all the places worth visiting—everything from the local bar to the neighborhood restaurant you probably wouldn’t have found on your own, to the sights you absolutely couldn’t miss. There was always someone who knew Mats from a previous visit and who welcomed everyone in the group with open arms.

Mats was truly one of a kind—a person who saw everyone and included everyone: guests, business partners, hotel and restaurant staff, bus drivers, and many others. With his positivity, joy, and tremendous dedication to service, everyone felt seen and appreciated. It’s no wonder that many consider him Sweden’s absolute best tour guide and that he has been a role model and mentor to so many in the travel industry. Mats has touched and made an impression on countless people around the world.

He worked at Contrast AB for over 25 years and had a profound impact on the company’s culture and values. For many years, he served as a mentor and source of inspiration for the company and has guided many of us colleagues. He taught us the craft and shared his experiences with us.

He played a major role in Contrast’s success. He didn’t like sales at all, and yet he was one of the best. He sold by simply being himself. Everyone liked Mats. People were drawn in by his vivid descriptions of travel destinations.

After retiring, he continued to be involved in the business. He contributed ideas and thoughts about the future. He worked hard to bring in new clients and stayed in touch with all his former colleagues to offer encouragement and praise. He was always available if anyone had questions or needed help with anything. In addition, he continued to travel with several of Contrast’s clients with great success.

There’s no replacing Mats, but we’re happy and grateful for all the wonderful years we spent with him!   

It has been a privilege to have had Mats as a friend and colleague.

The world is definitely a poorer place without you!