Introduction
Sex tourism is one of the most controversial industries globally, even though it produces much money. According to researchers, sex tourists are motivated by personal, physical, and psychological needs. Unmet sexual desires and pleasure are examples of physical needs, while modernity and hedonistic tendencies are examples of psychological issues. Sex tourism has features that make it analytically persuasive in terms of economic, social, and public health. Sex tourism is, in essence, a socially accepted adult escape route into play, fun, and fantasy. People fly to new places for the sole purpose of engaging in commercial sexual relations. Recognize that sexual tourism is a massive phenomenon, particularly in developing countries. Understanding the complexity involved in this industry is crucial to develop appropriate strategies and procedures that will help deal with sex tourism globally.
Definition of Sexual Tourism
Without looking for external sources, I would have described sexual tourism as an industry that provides sexual services to people from various parts of the world. Essentially, this would mean that the services are institution-based where there are different companies offering the required services to tourists. As such, people interested in providing the various services in this industry would be recruited by such firms, who will monitor and control their activities with agreed terms and conditions. After thorough review and analysis of sex tourism materials, it is evident that romance tourists travel to various destinations, specifically to engage in sexual relations. Additionally, such activities are allowed in countries where prostitution is legal; however, sex tourism is said to support human trafficking, which a criminal offense in the world (Rivera, 2015). Another aspect of sexual tourism is the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among involved parties.
Sexual Practices in Sex Tourism
Sexual practices may vary from one culture to the other since there are different morals and lifestyles across the globe; they include intercourse, observation, and voyeurism. As such, there are various practices that sex tourists can engage in depending on the particular destination country. In most situations, sex tourists are after the physical, sexual intercourse from one client at a time. Others prefer engaging in orgies where there is a variety of participants in a single occasion, all engaging in sexual relations. However, there are other tourists who prefer other safer practices such as performances in nudity and pure romance that will help avoid HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (Clift, & Carter, 2000). For instance, in the case of an orgy, several sex tourists can pay for many clients who they can share at the same time, in the same room. Such hired clients are expected to satisfy and meet the specific needs of the different tourists to receive their payment.
Factors Attracting Sex Tourists
In terms of modernity, the sense of belonging, excitement, and freedom, and power reestablishment are the main factors attracting sex tourists to different destinations. In a society, people are normally controlled by certain regulations and everyday rules from organizations and authorities. This creates a working and living routine in addition to boredom and stress due to the faster pace of life and schedulization. As such, everyday duties and jobs become a hindrance to a joyful life, an aspect such people seek by participating in other activities during their traveling. In efforts to escape from their mundane environment, people usually turn to leisure and tourism. However, it is of the essence to recognize that financial stability is key to sexual tourism as the participants must have adequate resources to cater for their expenses. Additionally, this enables sex tourists to gain control over the often poor and unstable clients they hire for their sexual relations (O’Connell, & Sanchez, 2009). It is, therefore, evident that modernity influences sex tourism, while financial availability empowers such people against the sex workers in destination countries.
Impact of Globalized Capitalism
The significant global force that serves to shape sex tourism is globalized capitalism that allows movement of bodies across borders for business, war or pleasure. In the same way, economic development serves as the value system shaping the sex tourism industry; essentially, most tourists’ destination is developing countries such as Jamaica and Kenya. The current economic system has expanded to incorporate new forms of labor and consumption by creating new commodities for sale. As a result, sexual and power relations between the tourists and the sex worker as a human relationship has been commoditized. Sex tourism carries many negative impacts that challenge the dominant sexual values in the destination country. Prostitution is seen as an acceptable practice of earning income, while the value of sexual relations in the given country lowers (Rivera, 2015). The most devastating effect is HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, which are skyrocketing due to sex tourism.
Conclusion
The sex tourism industry has significantly evolved to become a lucrative business globally; however, it is still the world’s most controversial business. Currently, there are many destinations known for their services and activities in this industry from all over the world. Moreover, the demand and supply forces of this business are not affected by inflation, neither are they non-seasonal. However, it is still not accepted in many communities as it supports the thriving of human trafficking, which is a criminal industry. Writing about sex tourism has not only fulfilled the goal of understanding the socially constructed nature of sexuality. It is evident that political, economic, and social aspects influence this industry as many countries popular for these services are developing countries. Additionally, modernity has played a significant role in pushing people towards this industry in efforts to escape their mundane environment.
References
Clift, S., & Carter, S. (Eds.). (2000). Tourism and sex: Culture, commerce and coercion.
Cengage Learning EMEA.
O’Connell Davidson, J., & Sanchez Taylor, J. (2009). Fantasy islands: Exploring the demand for
sex tourism. Sun, sex, and gold: Tourism and sex work in the Caribbean, 37-54.
Rivera, M. (2015). Sex tourism in the Dominican Republic and other developing countries: a
study of political, economic, and social determinants (Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers
University-Graduate School-Newark).
