YOUTH
market operators have claimed they are “not moral guardians” after a report in
a top medical journal attacked the trade for encouraging sex with new partners
on holiday.
In
an article in the British Medical Journal about sexually transmitted diseases
caught on holiday, Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital consultant Karen
Rogstad claimed operators should give more sex health advice.
Writing
about the industry in general, she said: “Health advice in travel brochures was
shown to be in a prominent position in only 11%, and only 3% were found to
contain advice on safe sex. More worrying is tour operators’ encouragement of
sex with new partners by presenting prizes.”
But
tour operators have hit back, saying they do not encourage or condone
promiscuous behaviour on holiday, especially unprotected sex.
Airtours
Holidays head of specialist products Martin Lomax said: “It all starts with
home – it is how people have been brought up by their parents. I don’t think
any blame can be put on tour operators.”
Lomax
said Airtours’ youth brand Escapades gave out leaflets on safe sex and talked
about risks in its welcome meetings. Escapades, Club 18-30 and 2wentys said
they supported the Government’s “Sex Lottery” campaign and featured it
prominently in brochures and ticket wallets.
The
BMJ article cites research that claims 35% of British holidaymakers to Tenerife
had sexual intercourse with someone who wasn’t their regular partner. It says
12% of sexually transmitted diseases are caught on holiday.