Sex in tourism: Reflections and potential future research directions

Abstract

The relationship between sex and tourism has arguably been one that has been understudied relative to the central role that sex plays within the tourism experience. As a result, much of the complexity and nuanced nature of sex in tourism has yet to be explored in great detail. This is arguably a reflection of the position of sex in society as a topic for open and rational discussion. The paper provides an examination of what research has been done to date on sex tourism and sex and tourism, providing in the process a discussion of why certain areas have been touched on and others neglected. Following on from this the paper provides insights into potential future research avenues in the field and discusses the challenges to be overcome in order to realize these potentials. As part of this, it is suggested that abandoning the value laden term ‘sex tourism’ may be best for the future of research on sex in tourism. Finally, the paper calls for a, not necessarily exclusively, activist agenda that sees academics working in a real world context to help real people.