Just the words make one cringe – sexual abuse of children in tourism – can be traced back to 1967 in Thailand. In an agreement between the U.S. and the Thai government, Thai ports welcomed servicemen on leave from the Vietnam War (Smolenski, 1995, 3). The World Bank recommended the development of mass tourism in Thailand. […]
Demand for Children
Sex tourists are individuals who enter sexually exploitative relationships with local women, men, and/or children while traveling for leisure purposes (O’Connell Davidson, 1996, p. 5). Pedophiles and preferential child abusers often elect to do business in a foreign country to have easy access to their sexual interests at a low cost and in comparative safety (O’Connell […]
The Dark Side of Globalization: Children Sex and Tourism
Approaching the issue of economic crimes involving children, sex, and tourism requires a careful and accurate examination. Human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of children, is a multifaceted problem that extends globally, devoid of exclusive association with any particular country. While instances of human trafficking have been reported in various regions, including Thailand, it is imperative […]
Politicians, Developers, Residents Navigate Casinos Menage a Trois
Some cities have wine trails, other cities have museum trails; New York City is developing its vice trails, from racinos and lotteries to marijuana on the streets and in Manhattan parks, the city is placing its bets on the future of New York by expanding the number and variety of vices available to residents and […]
Vice is Nice, But. Does Manhattan Need Casinos?
As New York City starts the process of accepting or rejecting casinos in multiple Manhattan zip codes, it is important to understand the relationship between casinos, public finance, economic development and politics. Casinos and Public Finance States legalize casino gambling primarily for tax revenues. What motivates governments to engage casino developers in casinos? Major drivers […]
Taking a Gamble: New York City’s Risky Proposition for Casino Hub in East Side of Manhattan
New York City stands at a critical crossroads, contemplating the transformation of a Manhattan east-side residential areas into a casino destination. Despite the grand vision, the lack of concrete evidence supporting the benefits of this proposal raises significant concerns. It is troublesome to see developers charging ahead without substantial research, and the potential drawbacks seem […]
New York City Tourism Today: Multifaced!
Tourism in New York is no longer all smiles and giggles. The facets of New York City’s tourism industry have changed. A New Yorker speaks out. As the largest metropolitan area in the United States, the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area has been a beacon for millions. However, beneath the surface of its bustling tourism […]
Ignorance, COVID-19 and Tourism
It is convenient to claim that the tourism industry has been brought to its knees because of COVID-19; however, the blame would be misplaced. The broader picture includes a confluence of culture, politics, science, and geography joined together by incompetent leadership resulting in the elimination of millions of jobs, billions in lost revenue, and a future that is […]
Truth or Dare in Travel and Tourism: Trust – the Final Frontier
Lies are like candies in a candy store, they come in various colors and sizes and offer different experiences. Some lies are motivated by money and greed, other lies are inspired by ego needs. Some people will lie to avoid punishment, others lie for the thrill of getting away with the falsehood, while others lie […]
Poorism: Is it tourism?
On a very recent and very cold winter night in Manhattan, I layered up and went to a church on 22nd street to attend a Homeless Forum sponsored by two New York City Council members, Dan Garodnick and Rosie Mendez, to learn more about these escalating crises in New York City. The homeless crises is […]