romance tourism – Prawn of the Patriarchy

In one of those rare idle moments I happened to google on ‘sex tourism eat pray love’. As you do. One of the first articles to come up was this one:

Rhonda and Ketut as the faces of female sex tourism, by Nigel Bowen (22 Jan 2013)

It’s been claimed that many women share recreational past-times with local men whilst enjoying their holidays. Just typical isn’t it? Those MRA scumbags rubbish anything and everything that women cherish.

Anyway you can relax, because it’s so, so different to that nasty sex-tourism thing that men do. I mean it’s not like the boys are prostitutes or anything, and it does seem fair that if they take time off work to show a lady around then she might buy him a meal or small gift. Or two.

Nevertheless, those readers with an interest in the grubby side of things, are advised that I deal with the topic of prostitution in another blog post.

So how have feminists explained these very special holiday experiences?

“When women pay men for sex, it doesn’t have the same social effect because there is no history of women enslaving men” (Source)

“Female sex tourism” oversimplifies the motives of these women and that “romance tourism” explains the complex nature of what these women are engaging themselves in while involved in romance tours. They also explain that the expression “female sex tourism”, “serves to perpetuate gender roles and reinforce power relations of female subordination, romance tourism in Jamaica provides an arena for change” (Source)

“Once, sometimes twice, a month I meet up with Justin, a 36-year-old divorcé. We go out for a meal and maybe to a club before spending the night in a hotel … But what differentiates our dates from the norm is that I pay for Justin’s company, including having sex with him” (Source)

Married Calais Jungle charity chief ‘who had a year-long affair with toyboy Tunisian she met in the camp’ steps down after she pepper sprayed a refugee and threatened to drag female volunteer ‘by the f*****g hair’ (17 May 2023) (More details here)

“When men pay for sex, they are being exploitative & using women as objects. When women pay for sex, they are seeking “respect” (really!) and “good sex” (because non-professionals don’t satisfy). Confused? Just remember, when a woman does it, it’s good!” (11 April 2023) Twitter discussion and linked media article

Female sex tourism. What does it mean and where does it happen? (11 February 2023)

Secret overseas Tinder trick for ‘15 men in 21 days’ (25 March 2022) Australia. Oops, the “secret” is out now, Jana. Can you imagine news.com.au running this article with reversed genders? Me neither.

Woman disowned after finding new toyboy – despite being dumped the last one (5 February 2021) You can expect to see many more stories like this one in coming months/years. (Indeed, only an hour later, this article emerged)

Sex worker clients are increasingly women – and they’re seeking more than pleasure (9 October 2019) Of course they are

‘They want to be stimulated throughout the body’: Bali Gigolos share their secrets (7 May 2017)

Racketeering Refugees: What the Million Marching Pussyhatters Really Want? (28 January 2017)

Female seks tourism (26 November 2016)

Confessions of an Australian male escort: ‘I don’t just get booked for sex’ (9 September 2016)

Lonely Women Paying For Men’s Company (12 August 2016) Video

‘European Sugar Mamas’ – Women sex tourists in Kenya (29 July 2016) Reddit discussion thread

The women who hire male escorts (1 February 2014)

Wealthy Older Women Are Hiring Men In Kenya To Romance Them (22 October 2014)

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/holidaytype/weird/7942963/cougar-prowl-female-sex-tourism-hotspots

http://www.rachelrabbitwhite.com/women-who-buy-sex-the-secret-life-of-jane/

http://harlotsparlour.com/2010/08/23/women-do-buy-sex/