The experiences of nomadic sex worker tourists

Abstract

ABSTRACT Practices of sex tourism are more diverse than the stereotype of ‘foreign man pays local woman for sex while on holiday abroad’. There has been little research into sex workers who travel to countries with visa-free policies to provide sex services to other tourists or locals at these destinations. The research explores the experiences of these nomadic sex workers. Twenty in-depth interviews conducted in Hong Kong captured data on their motivations, economics, and behaviour of the sex worker tourists. Driven by a desire to make a better life for themselves and their families, these nomadic sex worker tourists negotiate and control their potential for self-determination, to attain economic benefits, support their families, and increase self-awareness, confidence, and general knowledge.