Sexy substances and the substance of sex: findings from an ethnographic study in Ibiza, Spain

An ethnographic study in Ibiza reveals that substances, particularly drugs and alcohol, play a pivotal role in promoting sexual encounters among British youth tourists. Unlike previous research that primarily focuses on survey-based methods and overlooks interactions with non-tourist social players, this study highlights the involvement of promotion representatives, strippers, and prostitutes in these dynamics. By adopting Bakhtin's concept of the 'carnivalesque,' the research offers a nuanced understanding of how substances facilitate and shape sexual behaviors in holiday destinations. Conducted through 38 focus groups, observations, and informal conversations over three summers (2009–2011), this work fills a critical gap by examining sexual relations beyond those strictly between British tourists.

Briggs, D., Tutenges, S., Armitage, R., & Panchev, D. (2011). Sexy substances and the substance of sex: findings from an ethnographic study in Ibiza, Spain. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 11(4), 173–187. https://doi.org/10.1108/17459261111194116