The Czech Republic belongs among top 20 sex tourism destinations
in the world. (ČTK)The economic recession is not impacting just traditional industries. Less mainstream services, like the sex industry, have also been hit. “Tourist numbers are falling, especially when it comes to tourists from rich countries. This means demand for sex services, mostly used by wealthier tourists, is also falling,” said tourism analyst Jaromír Beránek from Mag Consulting. The Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) does not have numbers yet confirming this trend.
The Czech Republic can still “boast”, however, that it belongs among top 20 sex tourism destinations in the world, according to sex-tourism.org, a site that maps sex industries around the world. According to ČSÚ estimates, Czech sex industry revenue last year reached CZK 10 billion. Of that CZK 7 billion was spent by foreigners. Like the other top 20 destinations, the Czech Republic attracts clients thanks to its selection of cheap sex services, its permissive approach to prostitution and its minimal regulation of the industry. “What’s more, since joining the EU, the Czech Republic serves as a stop-over for prostitutes migrating from the east to the west,” added Beránek.
Prague remains a paradise for tourists seeking prostitutes. “The monthly revenue of the sex industry around Wenceslas Square is estimated at around CZK 0.5 billion,” said Beránek.
The situation could change. Prague City hall is drafting an amendment that would regulate prostitution, which it wants to pass on to the Chamber of Deputies by the end of the year. The main goal of the amendment is to legalise prostitution. Anyone practicing this trade will need to have proof of permission from authorities. Municipalities could designate a time and a place where prostitution is legal. The penal code amendment would also include a “clause stating that illegal prostitution is punishable by up to 3 years in prison,” said City Hall Councillor Rudolf Blažek.
