Sexually transmitted infections and tourism

Overall, the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is by no means decreasing. The rate of syphilis infection is even increasing in various regions. In light of significantly increased travel activity and air traffic, international travelers and tourists remain at risk of acquiring one or more STI by having sex with new partners abroad. Apart from so-called sex tourists, travelers engaging in casual sex play an important role. Up to a third of international vacationers are reported to engage in casual sex, and half of these contacts take place without the use of condoms. In contrast to previous years, contact to potentially interested sexual partners abroad is established primarily via international dating apps on a smartphone. This type of contact not only enables prior exchange of information and a short conversation, but also a meeting with the person who is no longer completely unknown. At the same time, however, knowledge about STI has increased. The risks of acquiring STI during unprotected sexual intercourse are realized, but this often doesn't translate into sufficient preventive consequences, despite the fact that the possible risks are later addressed openly. Accordingly, the demand for STI testing is increasing, and the corresponding tests are now offered by various laboratories or in the form of online testing with a self-sampling kit.