Rapid expansion of sex tourism

Is sex tourism increased by those who are not successful at it on home turf?

Thailand has become an increasingly more popular destination among men and women.

When I first saw the book Platform, by the French author Michel Houellebecq, on a bookshelf in a library, I didn’t even imagine there exists a phenomenon called sex tourism. The main character of the novel is Michel, an employee of the ministry of culture, who treats himself to a holiday in Thailand with the inheritance after the death of his father. On the holiday generally intended for sex tourism he meets Valérie, a young and successful woman, who turns from a casual aquaintance into the love of his life.
 

Definition of sex tourism

It’s not clear whether people decide to visit foreign continents because they want to explore the natural landscape and all the unkown, or they decide on that because they want, above all, to explore sex life outside the national borders. And the latter is the definition of sex tourism. An individual is interested in sexual adventures, but the person is not necessarily attracted to geographical characteristics of the area visited. This is therefore a visit with the purpose of having sexual encounters – with people below the age of 18 as well, which is intolerable from our moral and legal point of view, but it turns out to be a market niche abroad. The legislation of the USA strictly bans this type of tourism, and if a citizen of the USA is caught having sex with teenagers, the citizen will of course have to face trial.

As sex has magic powers, some people are also prepared to fly across half the planet. (jlp)

In the book, the author describes what is going on in Thailand. Despite the fact that the book is almost a decade old, today her story has a direct bearing on the wider area of the South East Asia. The state also assists in the whole matter   as a supporting member. Difficulties in the economy, civil unrest, poverty and a large number of fugitives additionally increase the expansion of sex tourism.  In 1997 UNICEF already made an assessment that more than a million children, mostly girls, are involved in prostitution.

 
Child pornography and trafficking people for prostituion

More and more data show that a certain number of children are transported in the former members of eastern Europe and an important role is played, above all, by foreigners and the members of the healthcare sector. The states often mentioned in connection with that are Poland, the Checz Republic, Russia and Romania. Most governments across the world consider the level of “development” of sex tourism to be an indicator of their economic growth. It is linked to  consumers and spensing, and even labelled as a luxury service without being aware (or shuting one’s eyes to the truth) that consequently it causes an increase in child abuse.

 
Sex tourism and sexual abuse of children

In my opinion, people don’t hide in their nature secret desires for having sexual intercourse with children. Those who are unable to resist the desire do it because of anonymity, accessibility and a relatively easy way to pay for sex because the states don’t provide for target groups by the law, despite being aware of the phenomenon. As there is almost no chance of getting caught, the process continues.
 

Dark side of the Internet

It’s said that “the Internet brings people closer”. Well, in that case I find that a problem. A lot of small travelling agencies offer sex tourism for adults, and at the same time the invisible side of the agency also offers a number of activities banned by the law. Owing to the small extent of business, they are able to evade the law. The activities are widely advertised in various chat rooms, where you can find detailed guidelines to become a member of the banned sex tourism.

It seems that governments are very well aware of all the usual problems resulting from sex tourism.

Vicious cycle

We have been striving for a reduction in the effects of HIV. But everything is in vain, if people as tourists on the other part of the planet support the activities (i.e. sexual abuse of children; I tolerate sex tourism, but I still find it a bit funny), which have a boomerang effect. I approve of sex tourism as such, but I’m still interested in the profile of an individual who is the client. If people have to travel half the planet because they are frigid in the local environment, then it’s obvious they have a problem.