Abstract
Purpose: cutting-edge short commentary is intended to raise awareness of sex trafficking
in the tourism and hospitality industry. This paper also advocates for further research to identify
and hopefully prevent sex trafficking in related settings.
Approach: This paper provides a descriptive overview of the current knowledge base on trafficking in tourism and hospitality. Based on gaps in the literature, future research agendas and directions are suggested.
Findings: Academic research on sex trafficking in tourism and hospitality remains limited.
More scholarly attention is needed to this matter. The tourism industry is directly and indirectly
associated with sex trafficking (e.g., hotel accommodations and direct consumption of sexual
services, such as through sex tourism). Despite legislative efforts by international government
agencies to eradicate sex trafficking, the problem remains pervasive. Broader practice- and
research-based intervention efforts are needed.
Originality: This short commentary advocates for tourism and hospitality researchers to make practical and theoretical industry contributions that may help prevent sex trafficking.