Exploring Bahrain's Thriving Escort Industry: Why So Many?

Bahrain has gained a reputation as a major destination for sex tourism, with prostitution being common, especially in Manama. While prostitution is illegal in the country, it is tolerated and even encouraged by some hotels and bars as it brings in male customers and increases alcohol sales. The country's liberal laws on alcohol and prostitution are considered vital to the tourism industry, attracting visitors from neighbouring countries with stricter laws, particularly Saudi Arabia.

The escort industry in Bahrain caters to a range of preferences, with services offered by women from various nationalities, including Russian, Thai, Filipino, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and South Korean. The country's reputation as a hub for escorts and prostitution has been enhanced by its divisive alcohol laws and the tolerance of the local law enforcement agencies.

The role of tourism in Bahrain's escort industry

Bahrain has gained a reputation as a major destination for sex tourism in the Middle East, with prostitution contributing significantly to its tourism industry. The country's liberal laws on alcohol and prostitution, in contrast to its more conservative neighbours, have made it a popular destination for tourists seeking adult entertainment.

Prostitution in Bahrain is illegal, yet it is widely tolerated and even encouraged by some sectors of the tourism industry, particularly hotels and bars. These establishments benefit from the increased male patronage and alcohol sales that prostitution brings. The country's laws and enforcement practices also contribute to the proliferation of the sex trade. While isolated prosecutions of prostitutes and pimps do occur, they are relatively rare and are often prompted by media exposure or public pressure. Additionally, Bahrain's Aliens Act allows immigration officials to deny entry to individuals with prior convictions, including prostitution, creating an incentive for foreign sex workers to migrate to the country.

The demand for prostitution in Bahrain is driven primarily by tourists and expatriates, especially those from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, where laws regarding sex and alcohol are much stricter. The opening of the Saudi causeway in 1986 led to an influx of Saudi visitors seeking to "party" and significantly increased the demand for prostitution. This demand is met by a diverse range of sex workers from various countries, including Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea.

While the exact number of sex workers in Bahrain is unknown, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported in 2007 that there were more than 13,500 prostitutes in the country, and the number was rising. Prostitution is prevalent in Manama, the capital, and often occurs in bars, hotels, and even malls. Some hotels are known for their speciality in certain nationalities of sex workers, with each hotel or bar typically catering to one specific nationality.

The country's reputation as a sex tourism destination has also raised concerns about sex trafficking. Bahrain is a destination country for women subjected to sex trafficking, with victims primarily from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. While the Bahraini government has taken some steps to combat trafficking, the issue persists, and the country continues to struggle with the darker side of its tourism-driven escort industry.

The legality of prostitution in Bahrain

Prostitution in Bahrain is illegal. However, the country has gained a reputation in the Middle East as a major destination for sex tourism. In 2007, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were more than 13,500 prostitutes in the country, with the number rising.

Prostitution is common, especially in Manama, where it occurs in bars, hotels, malls, and on the streets. Most prostitutes are foreign, with women coming from Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea. Each hotel or bar usually caters to one nationality of prostitutes.

Many of the customers are Saudis, who drive to Bahrain to take advantage of its more relaxed laws regarding sex and alcohol. This demand for prostitution has led to Bahrain being labelled as the "Sin City of the Gulf".

Despite its illegal status, prostitution in Bahrain is often tolerated by local law enforcement. The country's liberal laws on alcohol and prostitution are considered vital to the tourist industry by the King. However, these issues are divisive, with Bahrain's majority Shia population opposing prostitution on religious grounds.

The Bahrain Criminal Code prohibits prostitution and related activities, with penalties including imprisonment, fines, and deportation. Despite this, prostitution has been practised in Bahrain for many years, dating back to the period after World War 1 when foreign workers fuelled the demand for prostitution.

In recent years, Bahrain has taken some steps to address prostitution and sex trafficking. In 2015, the government convicted 17 sex traffickers and imposed prison terms, fines, and deportations. However, prostitution remains a prevalent issue, and Bahrain continues to be a destination country for women subjected to sex trafficking.

The nationality of escorts in Bahrain

Prostitution in Bahrain is illegal, but the country has gained a reputation in the Middle East as a major destination for sex tourism. Most prostitutes in Bahrain are foreign nationals, including women from Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, and South Korea.

Hotels and bars tolerate the presence of prostitutes as they attract male customers and increase alcohol sales. Each hotel or bar tends to have prostitutes of a single nationality. For example, one hotel in the Al Jaffir district has bars on four levels, each offering a specific nationality of prostitute. Another bar, run by Australians, is known for trading exclusively with Chinese and Filipino women.

The nationality of prostitutes in Bahrain has changed over time. In the 1980s and 1990s, most prostitutes were from the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Following the collapse of communism, Russian prostitutes began to arrive in the country, and 1996 saw the arrival of women from Bosnia.

While prostitution is illegal in Bahrain, the laws are not strictly enforced, and the country continues to be a destination for sex tourism, with prostitutes of various nationalities catering to both locals and tourists.

The venues where escorts are found in Bahrain

Prostitution in Bahrain is illegal, but the country has gained a reputation in the Middle East as a major destination for sex tourism. Sex work is common in Bahrain, especially in Manama, where it occurs in bars, hotels, malls, and on the streets.

Hotels and Bars

Prostitution is tolerated in hotels and bars as it attracts male customers and increases alcohol sales. Each hotel or bar tends to have prostitutes of one specific nationality. In some hotels, women will knock on guests' doors late at night looking for customers.

Malls

Some prostitutes, particularly Russians, solicit customers in malls.

The Streets

There is also some street prostitution in Bahrain.

Cafes

Bahraini escorts can be found in cafes frequented by Saudi men. They wait for men to approach them and chat them up. They usually go out to dinner before going to the man's hotel room.

Online

Websites such as LoveHub allow escorts to advertise their services online.

Specific Venues

• The Australian bar in Manama is synonymous with prostitution in Bahrain. It is known for its outback theme and the presence of Filipino and Chinese women.
• The Platinum bar at the four-star Golden Tulip hotel features Russian women dancing in luminous bikinis.
• A hotel in the Al Jaffir district has bars on four different levels, each offering a specific nationality of prostitute.

The impact of religion on Bahrain's escort industry

Bahrain is a Muslim-majority country, with 99.8% of citizens identifying as Muslim according to the 2010 census. The country's constitution states that Islam is the official religion and that Sharia law is a principal source for legislation.

Despite this, prostitution is common in Bahrain, with the country gaining a reputation as a major destination for sex tourism. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reported that there were over 13,500 prostitutes in the country in 2007, and that the number was rising.

The prevalence of prostitution in Bahrain, a Muslim country, can be attributed to several factors, including the country's location, economic factors, and the government's response. Bahrain is located near Saudi Arabia, a country with strict laws regarding sex and alcohol. As a result, many Saudis cross the border into Bahrain, where they can engage in activities that are prohibited in their homeland.

Additionally, the Bahraini government has prioritized the development of the tourism sector, which includes tolerating prostitution to attract male customers and increase alcohol sales. The government has also been criticized for its ineffective response to prostitution and sex trafficking, with efforts to crackdown on the issue often proving short-lived.

While Islam is the official religion in Bahrain, the country does provide some degree of freedom of religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites. However, there are limitations on these rights, and the government has been known to question, detain, and arrest Shia clerics and community members.

In conclusion, the impact of religion on Bahrain's escort industry is complex. While Islam is the official religion and Sharia law influences legislation, the country's economic priorities, location, and ineffective law enforcement have contributed to the prevalence of prostitution and sex tourism. Additionally, while the government provides some freedom of religion, it has also been criticized for its treatment of Shia Muslims and its response to religious conversion.

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