The third gender in the tourism industry : a preliminary observation

In South-east Asia, the involvement of the third gender in promoting tourism is remarkably prominent. Many transvestites are involved in cultural performances or paper dolls shows. The Moulin rouge girl sort of shows received overwhelming response from holiday goers. Many transvestites especially in Thailand and the Philippines opted to work as performers as their living professions let alone those who have traveled the world performing as impersonators and make-up artists.

This group of people has tremendously contributed to the Tourism industry yet they are a laughing stock to the society. Their important role to tourism industry in some countries are denied and seen as a nuisance to the society.

This paper will look at the contribution of the third gender people in the tourism industry especially in the South-east Asia. Discussions on types of performances offered to tourists are highlighted in this paper.