Sex tourism is known as a multibillion-dollar industry that globally supports a workforce estimated in the millions, directly benefiting service industries such as the airline, taxi, restaurant and hotel industries. Sexual activities that involve children and minors are almost universally non-consensual and illegal. These groups and individuals are subject to the foreign prostitution laws of the destination's jurisdiction, often resulting in exploitation and abuse. The chief ethical concerns arise from: the economic gap between tourists and residents, the sexual trafficking of children and women and the parties taking advantage of the ability to engage with minors. Sex tourism is commonly regarded as a transnational challenge, as it can be seen to target marginalised demographics in developing nations, such as South East Asia and Brazil. The World Tourism Organization of the United Nations has acknowledged this industry is organised both within and outside the structured laws and networks created by them. This practice predominantly operates in countries where sex work is legal but there are countries where laws prohibit sex work. Sex tourism refers to the practice of traveling to foreign countries, often on a different continent, with the intention of engaging in sexual activity or relationships in exchange for money.

Soi Cowboy, a red light district in Bangkok