Let’s talk about sex tourism

There is a question to ask: ‘’is sex tourism happening in Ghana?’’ Well, my answer is simple. As long as sex itself is happening in Ghana all its forms are also possibly happening. The fact of the matter is no one wears a T-shirt with ‘I am a Sex Tourist’ embossed on it.

I have personally observed a form that happens especially at funerals. People arrive, not only to mourn the dead but make a hit with partners they have never met, before they leave town. The difference here is that they may not use the channels of tourism.

Again, this is not as organised but an individual streak. If the trend continues and spreads significantly over time it could be documented as a strand of sex tourism.

Mainstream sex tourism on the other hand, thrives on a ready market which uses networks and systems of the tourism industry.

Destinations which are prone to sex tourism are those that experience what we call mass tourism. This means tourists arrive in large groups and undertake packaged tours, i.e. dealing with agents who organise their accommodation, meals and sightseeing. They usually hang around beaches.

Ghana’s policy on tourism frowns on prostitution as it recognises that when uncontrolled, it could compromise the quality of the destination. Whereas the country is not known for the mass market, a few of her neighbours within the West African coast are involved in mass tourism.

In some of these destinations European women, for example arrive to be ‘serviced’ by young African men.

So how does a sex tourist operate? He - or she - arrives by air, signs off as a tourist interested in beach, culture or wildlife.

Hotels are booked, tour guides or tour operators are engaged and the itinerary for the entire stay in the country is drawn. Within this scheme, there are agents who know their preference and see to their pleasure arrangements.

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Some arrive with special interests; ranging from kinky sex, group sex, same sex or a combination of any of these.

On their travels people are free to associate with people. But when prostitution is a crime then sex that is paid for becomes illegal.

Again, when the activities of sex tourists lead to trafficking, especially of young women, which is reprehensible.

Studies conducted show that the percentage of tourists who have paid for sex at least once in their lives has increased globally.

There is a cultural angle to the matter. In some countries, sex with prostitutes is considered commonplace and men who do not engage in commercial sex may be considered unusual by their peers.

Cultural attitudes towards sex tourism in some Asian countries, for example, are complex. Families in poor rural areas commonly sell their children to human traffickers, who take the children to large cities in to serve tourist needs.

One of the central challenges to addressing sex tourism is the differing laws and norms regarding normal sexual behaviour in sending and receiving countries. Because sex tourism is a transnational issue, it must be addressed beyond the domestic level. Sex tourism also has economic implications for all nations involved.

It is encouraged by the tourist sector of some destination countries, because it draws individuals from wealthier nations with greater amounts of disposable income into poorer nations.

This stimulates the economy of these poorer nations. These economic reinforcements are part of the reason sex tourism continues to exist.

The truth is that romance and more specifically, sex, are key factors in world travel. Tourist markets have exploited this motivation for travel through prostitution.

This industry of sex work is extremely profitable and the tourist market's role in sex tourism raises questions about its moral and legal standing.

The saddest part is when such sex activities involve children. Since the 2000s the UNWTO has embarked on a Responsible Tourism campaign.

Certainly, one cannot take advantage of vulnerable people for sex and consider it as responsible.