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Summary:

In many countries, as in Tunisia, sexual tourism has led to the emergence of a new category of sex workers, male hustlers (cruisers, beach-boys, gigolos, professional playboys), who act as sex partners or escorts for both male and female visitors seeking sexual experiences. To better understand this form of practices, a qualititative content analysis was made of interviews conducted in Tunisia in 1997 with 10 hustlers averaging 28 years of age. Results indicate that these men engage in this occupation to supplement their salary but also to obtain more idiosyncratic rewards. Sexual practices with tourists appear to be more diverse than with the local sexual partners and in general, no structures protective measures against AIDS and STDs are taken. This study indicates that male hustlers can represent a source of transmission of STDs and HIV virus.