Cases of Sex Tourism
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday disputed the claim of US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. that at least 40 percent of male foreign tourists in the country, including Americans, come for sexual tourism.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the issue was already brought to the attention of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, who clarified that the statistics cited by the ambassador were inaccurate.
Quoting Jimenez, Valte said the DOT’s figure shows that “shopping and sightseeing” are the dominant activities for both male and female tourists in the Philippines.
“Our message to all tourists is simple: you are welcome to the Philippines anytime for good, clean fun and excitement. If you are coming for darker reasons, we don’t want your business,” Jimenez said in a statement sent to the Palace.
“The Philippines is a beautiful country and although we would like to see the number of tourist arrivals increase, we would want that our tourists, that our friends, come here for the right reasons,” Valte noted.
She said it cannot be denied that sexual tourism is happening, including human trafficking of women and children, but the government had been exerting efforts to curb the problem.
She said the best proof that the Philippines’ actions to combat trafficking were gaining ground was the fact that the US State Department upgraded the country’s status from its watchlist.
Around 40 percent of foreign men come here for sexual tourism, Thomas said during a roundtable discussion on human trafficking organized by the Supreme Court, Philippine Judicial Academy in partnership with the Court of Appeals and the US Department of Justice Criminal Division.
Phl wholesome destination
Contrary to reports that sex tourism is rampant in the country, Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon maintained that the Philippines is a wholesome destination for local and foreign visitors.
Bengzon said a majority of foreign tourists come here to go shopping aside from
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the issue was already brought to the attention of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, who clarified that the statistics cited by the ambassador were inaccurate.
Quoting Jimenez, Valte said the DOT’s figure shows that “shopping and sightseeing” are the dominant activities for both male and female tourists in the Philippines.
“Our message to all tourists is simple: you are welcome to the Philippines anytime for good, clean fun and excitement. If you are coming for darker reasons, we don’t want your business,” Jimenez said in a statement sent to the Palace.
“The Philippines is a beautiful country and although we would like to see the number of tourist arrivals increase, we would want that our tourists, that our friends, come here for the right reasons,” Valte noted.
She said it cannot be denied that sexual tourism is happening, including human trafficking of women and children, but the government had been exerting efforts to curb the problem.
She said the best proof that the Philippines’ actions to combat trafficking were gaining ground was the fact that the US State Department upgraded the country’s status from its watchlist.
Around 40 percent of foreign men come here for sexual tourism, Thomas said during a roundtable discussion on human trafficking organized by the Supreme Court, Philippine Judicial Academy in partnership with the Court of Appeals and the US Department of Justice Criminal Division.
Phl wholesome destination
Contrary to reports that sex tourism is rampant in the country, Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon maintained that the Philippines is a wholesome destination for local and foreign visitors.
Bengzon said a majority of foreign tourists come here to go shopping aside from