Romance Travel
Men have a history of visiting Bali for
sex. And it is true that Bali’s sex industry was probably built by men for men.
But there is a growing trend for women to become involved in Bali’s sex
industry.
Foreign women have been traveling to Bali with the intention of indulging in
sexual activity with local men for a long time. The pioneers of this type of
excursion were predominantly Japanese women. Bali originally became popular with
wealthy Japanese because of the massage industry. Japanese ladies would invite
young Indonesian men to their hotel rooms so they could receive intimate and
sensual massages. The exchange of cash for a deeper, more satisfying service
grew from these humble beginnings.
In the past, the pursuit of Indonesian men by wealthy Japanese ladies was
rarely spoken about or reported. It was almost a taboo subject and certainly
not something to boast over. Japanese women would travel to the island in
pairs. And maybe they would compare notes, but what happened in Bali stayed in
Bali. Now it is common knowledge in Japan that Bali is the home of sex for
wealthy women. It has become so commonplace it is almost a cliché. If a woman
from Japan should mention that she is traveling to Bali for a holiday she will
almost certainly face sly looks, smiles or innuendo.
Western women seemed largely unaware of the situation sometime back.
Adventurous older women sometimes brought men back to their rooms in the guise
of receiving a massage. But as with the Japanese it was mostly a well contained
secret that sex for hire was involved. All that changed with the release of documentary
The Kuta Cowboys by Singaporean director Amit Virman. After the release of the
film, western women came to realize that there was little stigma attached to
being seen in the company of an Indonesian man.
Western woman are now far more comfortable dating Indonesian men. And they
are quite happy to come to Bali in search of a two week seduction by a young
and handsome man of Indonesian origin. These women have even given this type of
adventure the pleasant sounding name of Romance Travel. And Romance Travel is
becoming very big business in Bali.
The age group and M.O. involved in these relationships has also
shifted. Where once older woman took young Indonesian men back to their rooms
for a night of paid for passion. Younger women are now dating these men for
longer periods. These short romantic interludes often involve the exchange of
money or gifts. The woman is also expected to pick up the bill when it comes to
food and drinks. In return they receive a tour guide with benefits, a handsome
young man who is more than eager to spoil them, pamper them and make them feel
beautiful.
It could be said that women who travel to Bali with the sole intention of
paying Indonesian men for sex. And women that overindulge their Indonesian
partners with gifts or money in return for emotional and sexual activity are
doing the same thing - they are employing the services of male prostitutes.
Women who involve themselves in this type of relationship often argue this
point. They say that the young man they are dating is either a holiday romance
or a potential future partner. And that money and gifts are only supplied due
to the difficult financial position of their companion.
Receiving money or gifts for sex is definitely prostitution. But should the
buying and selling of companionship receive such a harsh label? Sex seems to be
only part of the equation in these circumstances. Women who date Indonesian men
often state that they also receive emotional support and friendship from these
relationships.
Perhaps these women are only attempting to create the illusion. That someone
in the world cares about them. Could this really be such a bad thing?
Indonesian men often date foreign women in
Bali and it would be a generalisation to say that all these relationships are
based on an exchange of cash or gifts. So it should be clarified that a number
of Indonesian men involved these type of relationships are not gigolos. And the
women involved are not always paying for the company.
©Malcolm Scott
For more on the Kuta Cowboys www.fb.com/baliraw
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