While the growing tourism industry has a potential to solve global unemployment woes, the International Labor Organization (ILO) warned that it could also open the floodgates of sexually transmitted diseases in destination countries - if it becomes unregulated.
The ILO issued the statement in a report after the hotel, catering and tourism (HTC) sector generated 260 million jobs last year or one out 11 of the existing jobs worldwide in that period.
About 60 to 70 percent of these positions ranging from tour guides to hotel workers are occupied by women.
"Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in countries around the world. It is very labor intensive and is a significant source of development and employment, especially for those with limited access to the labor market," the ILO said.
The ILO said this is most apparent in developing countries like the Philippines, where it could be used in poverty reduction programs, since it could generate hundreds of jobs and rake in foreign exchange earnings.
"In countries that are most dependent on tourism (particularly small islands), tourism can account for 30 to 90 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) and 50 to 90 percent of exports, and can employ 20 to 50 percent of the population," ILO said.
However, it warned tourism oriented countries with expanding HTC should be wary of the negative impact the industry brings, particularly on vulnerable like women and children.
These include increase competition of local natural resources, environmental degradation, aggravate social tension and cultural disruption, unfair labor standards, and in some countries, even promote sex tourism, which can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted disease (STD) like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
"In many tourism destination areas, the spread of prostitution has caused an increase of severe diseases, in particular for women," ILO said.

Source: Manila Bulletin - September 30, 2013