Sexual behavior in women's tourist experiences: Motivations, behaviors, and meanings

The research literature has traditionally focused on commercial sex tourism between tourists and locals but virtually ignored sexual behavior among tourists themselves. This exploratory study aspires to fill this gap by creating a taxonomy of non-commercial sex for women who engage in various forms of tourism. The analysis of in-depth interviews with Israeli self-defined heterosexual women reveals that different forms of tourism involve various types of sexual behavior as follows: (1) ‘Practicing Sex’ referring to sex on rest and relaxation vacations; (2) ‘Must Have Sex’ relating to sex on city break vacations; (3) ‘Sexual Adventure’ describing casual sex on backpacking trips; (4) ‘Controlled Sexual Desire’ referring to work related trips and vacations with children. The study findings are discussed in terms of their contribution to the research area of sex in tourism.

► The study focused on sex in tourism as opposed to commercial sex tourism.
► Grounded theory of women's sexual behaviors, motivations and meanings was conducted.
► Taxonomy of women's sexual behaviors in various forms of tourism is offered.
► Sex is an important motivator for engaging in certain tourist experiences.
► Women's perceptions of time and space are at the core of understanding sexual behaviors.