Is Sex Tourism Against the Law?

Traveling domestically or abroad to engage in unlawful sexual conduct is illegal, as is promoting or selling sex tourism services. Even if the illegal activity takes place in a foreign country, in certain cases, a person could face federal prosecution back in the United States.

What Is Sex Tourism?

Sex tourism occurs when someone travels for the purposes of engaging in sexual activities with prostitutes (commercial sex workers). It also includes those who promote, arrange, or sell sex tourism services, such as travel agencies and sex tourism websites. This industry adds to the ever-growing crisis of global sex trafficking, in which millions of women and children are sexually exploited and abused.

Is Sex Tourism Illegal Under Federal Law?

Federal law makes it a crime for U.S. citizens and residents to travel between states or to a foreign country to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 18) or to produce child pornography.

Child Sex Tourism

This federal law prohibiting child sex tourism extends beyond U.S. borders. It allows prosecution of a U.S. citizen or resident for illegal conduct occurring in foreign countries. A person who travels intending to commit a child sex tourism crime can also be prosecuted, even if the act doesn't occur. Both of these federal crimes carry severe penalties of up to 30 years of prison time and fines. (18 U.S.C. § 2423 (2025).)

Child Sex Tour Operators

"Child sex tour operators" also fall under these federal prohibitions. The same 30-year penalty applies to anyone who attempts to profit from arranging travel for another person to engage in illegal sexual activities with a child. Anyone involved in an organization that uses the internet, U.S. mail, or telecommunication services to commit any act in furtherance of child sex tourism also commits a 30-year felony. (18 U.S.C. § 2423 (2025).)

Adult Sex Tourism

Federal law on sex tourism focuses on child victims. But the sex industry, as a whole, is a grey area. Even if a person travels to a country where adult prostitution is legal or tolerated, the person still risks violating foreign or U.S. law if it turns out the commercial sex worker was a minor or had been trafficked or coerced into participating.

Are Sex Tourism Travel Services Illegal?

Several states make it a crime to sell, promote, or advertise travel services for purposes of engaging in sex tourism. Like federal law, some states limit these crimes to travel services relating to child sex tourism. Others apply generally to promoting or arranging travel for any illegal prostitution services, which would include adult sex workers.

"Travel services" generally include:

• transportation by air, sea, or ground
• hotel or any lodging accommodations
• package tours, or
• vouchers or coupons to be redeemed for future travel or accommodations for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration.

Most of these state crimes carry felony-level penalties.

Examples of State Penalties for Illegal Sex Tourism Travel Services

Below are examples of state crimes and penalties for organizing sex tourism travel services.

Alabama makes it a class B felony to sell or offer to sell travel services for child sex tourism purposes (Ala. Code §§ 13A-12-121.1, 13A-12-122 (2025).)

Colorado places "child sex tour operations" under its stiff laws prohibiting human trafficking of a minor, a class 2 felony. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-504 (2025).)

Hawai'i makes promoting travel for prostitution a class C felony. It applies to arrangements involving both adult and child prostitution. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 712-1208 (2025).)

Missouri makes promoting travel for prostitution a class D felony. The Missouri Secretary of State can also revoke the articles of incorporation and freeze the bank accounts of any travel agency or tour company that engages in promoting travel for prostitution. (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 567.085, 567.089 (2025).)

Nevada makes it a crime to sell travel services to the state for purposes of engaging in an illegal sex act with a child or in a sex act with an adult who's been forced into prostitution. This category B felony falls under the crime of "facilitating sex trafficking." (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 201.301 (2025).)

In Washington, it's illegal to promote sex tourism for illegal prostitution with an adult or a child (the latter is considered "commercial sexual abuse of a child"). Both offenses are class C felonies. (Wash. Rev. Code §§ 19.138.340, 9.68A.102, 9A.88.085 (2025).)

What Should I Do If I'm Accused of a Sex-Tourism Crime?

If you're charged with sex tourism or a related crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney or ask for a public defender as soon as possible. Charges and convictions for sex crimes carry serious repercussions. An attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system and work to mitigate possible professional or reputational harm. For federal criminal charges, make sure to ask the attorney if they practice in federal court.