Introduction
Over the past several decades, sex tourism has gained popularity worldwide. It is a highly controversial industry, with its true contribution and negative impacts on society still remaining speculative. This report investigates and discusses the definition, nature, and scope of sex tourism, with a specific focus on Thailand and its contribution and impacts. Later, the report provides practical recommendations to help Thailand and other countries where sex tourism thrives in mitigating the industry's negative impacts on the community.
Definition of sex tourism
According to the CDC (2013), sex tourism refers to planned travels specifically designed for sexual purposes in destinations where commercial sex is unrestricted. Jeffreys (1999) defines sex tourism as a vacation to a destination that does not restrict sexual services and activities. Despite providing good insights into the meaning of sex tourism, the two definitions fail to acknowledge that sex tourism also exists in countries that restrict sexual activities. A more proper definition is provided by the World Tourism Organization (1995), which defines sex tourism as trips organized within the tourism sector or outside the tourism sector but using its infrastructure and network for the primary purpose of establishing commercial sexual relationships between tourists and residents of the destination. Another definition that acknowledges that sex tourism can also take place in destinations where prostitution is illegal is provided by Ryan and Hall (2001). They define sex tourism as tourism whose main motivation is to consummate or engage in commercial sexual relations with residents of the host country.
Geography of sex tourism
Sex tourism is an industry that is rapidly growing; however, it does not occur in all regions of the world. As mentioned by Clancy (2002), it mainly occurs in developing countries such as Thailand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia, and Cambodia. All these countries have a high level of poverty, which is a key driving force that motivates women to engage in commercial sexual activity, regardless of whether it is legal or illegal. Therefore, generally speaking, sex tourism is an industry that seems to be thriving in poor countries. However, developed countries and wealthy nations also contribute to this industry. As mentioned by Laws (2009), most of the clients in the sex tourism industry are tourists from affluent countries, such as Europe and the USA, who sexually exploit desperate men and women living in poverty.
The impacts of sex tourism
Tourism, in general, has numerous impacts on the economy of a destination. To begin with, it serves as a tool for economic development, as countries or destinations earn valuable foreign currency from tourism. In some countries, such as Thailand, tourism is the largest source of income. Similarly, sex tourism, like general tourism, holds economic value. Although the exact figure is speculative, it is estimated that the sex tourism industry is worth more than $20 billion (Clancy, 2002), thereby generating significant revenue for a country/destination and contributing to its economic development. Additionally, sex tourism provides income for individuals involved in the industry. According to Jones (2006), some women engaged in sex tourism, specifically through prostitution, earn a better living compared to alternative employment opportunities. Furthermore, sex tourism also boosts the hospitality industry, as most tourists involved in this sector reside and engage in activities within hotels. This, in turn, helps increase room occupancy rates and creates direct as well as indirect employment opportunities (Stjernrup, 2006).
Despite the positive impacts sex tourism can have on a destination, it also brings about several negative consequences. These include poor health conditions for residents, a tarnished reputation for the destination, and negative sociocultural influences. One of the major negative impacts of sex tourism is the spread of diseases. As pointed out by Jones (2002) and Ryan and Kinder (1996), many individuals engaged in commercial sex activities, such as prostitution, lack proper education, resulting in poor health literacy. This makes them vulnerable to infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, as they lack proper knowledge and understanding of preventive measures. According to Jones (2002), many sex tourists hold the misconception that young girls are likely to be virgins or not sexually exploited, perceiving them as pure. Consequently, they engage in unprotected sex without fear. This misconception leads to an increase in the spread of diseases both in the destination country and the countries from which the tourists originate, as well as increased pregnancies in the destination country and health problems and complications resulting from commercial sexual activities. Any destination or country where sex tourism takes place inevitably earns a negative reputation globally. A tarnished reputation affects various aspects of people's livelihoods. For instance, it scares away investors, leading to high unemployment rates. Additionally, a negative reputation shapes the perception the world has of the residents of the affected country, potentially impacting their social lives due to stereotyping. In essence, a bad reputation affects both the economic development of a country and the social lives of its citizens (Outshoorn, 2004). Sex tourism also has negative social and cultural impacts on the residents of a country. According to Jones (2002), many women and girls who engage in sex tourism as prostitutes face stigmatization and isolation from mainstream society. This leads to high levels of stress, depression, and even suicide. Additionally, sex tourism often intertwines with sex trafficking, where girls and women are forced into sexual acts by their employers. In other words, it contributes to modern-day slavery, where the poor are sexually exploited and trafficked (Clift and Carter, 1999). Sex tourism also corrupts the moral values of a country. Future generations in destinations where sex tourism thrives may grow up believing that sex tourism is an acceptable means of earning a living, which currently contradicts the moral values of almost all sex tourism hotspots (Hall and Ryan, 2001).
Sex tourism in Thailand
According to the majority of available literature, Thailand has consistently been ranked number one in terms of sex tourism (Green, 2001; Stjernrup, 2006; Jeffreys, 1999; Asian Watch Committee, 2001). In this country, women and girls from impoverished backgrounds flock to cities, especially Bangkok, to engage in commercial sex activities with tourists as a means of earning a livelihood (Green, 2001). This explains why Thailand continues to attract more male tourists than females. Interestingly, 70 percent of tourists in this country are men, and out of that, 60 percent are sex tourists (Bangkok Post, 2008). This means that the majority of male tourists who travel to Thailand do so solely for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities with women and girls in Thailand.
The origin of sex tourism in Thailand can be traced back to the Second World War. During this time, the American military fighting in Vietnam used Thailand as a base for relaxation and recreation. As a result of their presence, many clubs and bars started operating to cater to them. Later, brothels emerged where the military could obtain sexual services. By the time they left, the industry had grown and was making a significant economic contribution to the country. However, word spread about the availability of cheap sex services in Thailand, piquing the curiosity of men who were interested in experiencing it for themselves. The government indirectly started to promote the industry, and as a result, more and more sex tourists from Western countries began flocking to Thailand, a trend that continues to this day (Green, 2004).
There are several theories that attempt to explain why sex tourism continues to thrive in Thailand to this day. Factors such as exploitative government policies, poverty, sexist attitudes, and constant demand from foreign visitors have been cited as key drivers of sex tourism in Thailand. Exploitative government policies have been identified as one of the key factors driving sex tourism in Thailand. Academics like Ryan and Allan (2001) argue that the Thai government has implemented policies that not only promote general tourism but also sexual tourism. It is estimated that the Thai economy earns $4 billion annually from sex tourism, making it challenging for the government to combat it, as tourism in general, including sex tourism, is the largest industry in the country. Poverty is another factor blamed for the thriving sex tourism in Thailand. According to Green (2004), the majority of people, especially in rural areas of Thailand, are poor and have no means of earning a living except by engaging in commercial sexual activities targeting tourists as their main clients. An alternative view held by Stjernrup (2006) and Green (2001) argues that sex tourism in Thailand thrives due to demand from sex tourists. There would be no supply if there were no demand from sex tourists. Stjernrup (2006) points out that sex tourism is often viewed as a problem inherited by Thailand, but in reality, the problem is contributed to by sex tourists who choose to fulfill their sexual desires in Thailand. The sexist attitudes towards Thai women are another factor cited by some academics as contributing to the increase of male sex tourists in Thailand. As explained by Nina (1999), many men, especially those from Western countries, have the perception and stereotypes that Thai women are exotic and submissive. This motivates thousands of them to travel long distances to visit Thailand and pay for sex. Unemployment and Thai cultural norms that place the responsibility of providing for the family on the oldest daughter have also been cited as factors contributing to sex tourism (Green, 2004). To Thai women, tourists are seen as a source of money to support or improve their families' lives. This has created a dependency relationship between Thai women and sex tourists, where Thai women rely on male tourists for income, while sex tourists depend on Thai women for emotional and sexual fulfillment.
Whether these theories are true or not is a subject of debate. However, as mentioned by Jeffreys (1999), sex tourism is typically a result of multiple factors working together. It is likely that the thriving of sex tourism in Thailand is driven by a combination of the aforementioned factors, including government policies, poverty, sexist attitudes towards women, and the demand for sexual services from tourists. Although sex tourism makes a major contribution to the economy, there are several negative impacts specifically associated with this industry in Thailand. The trafficking of children is the biggest problem created by this industry. Parents, driven by poverty, are forced to sell their children, especially girls, to brothel owners to be used as sex slaves in exchange for meager salaries. Additionally, sex tourism has led to an increase in HIV and AIDS cases in Thailand. According to data from Avert (2015), as the number of sex tourists increases, so does the number of HIV infections in Thailand. Moreover, many girls and women forced into the sex tourism industry experience sexual assault and physical abuse, leading to stress, depression, and, in some cases, suicide. The industry also negatively impacts the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of children, resulting in a poor quality of life.
Initiatives to curb sex tourism in Thailand:
To mitigate the negative impacts of sex tourism in Thailand, several initiatives have been implemented or are being pursued. The Thai government has chosen to tackle sex tourism through legislative measures. Initially, commercial sex work was not illegal in Thailand. However, in 1966, the government enacted the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which prohibited commercial sex activities. This law criminalized the sale or engagement in commercial sex. However, it did not penalize the clients in order to avoid harming tourism in the country. Additionally, the government enacted the Entertainment Place Act in 1966, which makes it an offense to allow prostitution or sex tourism in buildings. The owners of such establishments are held liable for these activities. While the legislative approach taken by the Thai government is important and effective in combating the negative impacts of sex tourism, it is not sufficient to comprehensively address all the problems created by the industry. This report presents several recommendations that should be implemented to comprehensively address sex tourism and its negative impacts in Thailand.
Recommendation
By nature, sex tourism is bad for Thailand or any other country. Although some people may argues that it has positive benefits to economic development, the financial benefits it bring to a country and it citizen is far outweighed by the health, social and culture problems it create. The government of Thailand should therefore do the following to curb sex tourism and it negative impacts on the society.
More strict laws to prohibit sex tourism and prostitution
The Government need to enacted More laws that prohibit and punish all those individual involved in sex tourism and prostitution include both sex tourists and local prostitute as well as those who may be facilitate the sex tourism. This time round, the laws should not spare sex tourists. Anyone who is caught engaging in prostitution either as a buyers or seller should be prosecuted. Having strict laws will discourage sex –tourist from conducting their activities in Thailand and as such only mainstream tourism will be witnessed.
Bilateral collaboration
So far, the initiative that has been taken by the government i.e. legislative initiative, to curb sex tourism and it negative effect has focused on restricting the supply side of it by restricting prostitution. This initiative is not enough to completely address the problem. A new approach that focus on both side of the industry that is demand and supply need to be taken. To address the demand side of it, The Thailand government should engage in bi-lateral collaboration with western country where most of the sex tourists’ origin to ensure sex tourism is tame. This collaboration should focus establishing strong justice system in both destination country and tourist origin country that should see sex-tourists especially those that exploit children brought to book. In long-run this would discourage sex tourism in Thailand since sex tourists would be afraid of legal consequences in Thailand as well as in their home by engaging in prohibited Act .
Crack down on facilitator of sex tourism. Sex tourism thrives due to existences of numbers of people and companies that facilitate sex tourism. There are numbers of tour companies that sell sex packages to tourist (Stjernrup 2006) hence making sex tourism more common among tourist. These operators and any other person that is found facilitating sex tourism should be identified and face the wrath of the law.
Address the social –economic condition in the country As literature indicate, the reason as to why most residents in Thailand engages in commercial sex activities with tourists is due to unemployment, lack of education, and poverty (Greeb 2004, Stjernrup 2006). In order to adequately address reduce sex tourism and it negative impacts on society, the Thailand Government need to focus on addressing all the social economical factor affecting it citizen Children should be given easier access to education, more creation of job by making the environment friendly for investor, establishing strong healthy system and aiming to reduce poverty.