Smuggling

Cross-border trafficking of humans and illicit goods has long been a concern of global proportions. In tourism studies, very little has been written about smuggling, although the phenomenon is pervasive throughout the world. It manifests in several ways, and it can best be considered as smuggling by tourists and for tourists/tourism.

Smuggling by tourists ranges from fairly innocuous to severe violations of international law. At points of entry, many tourists attempt to sneak in alcohol or tobacco products or other items that are curbed or taxed by customs to avoid paying prohibitive duties. In other cases, tourists try to import restricted items such as seeds, meat, or plant materials that are restricted by home or host governments. Other more severe infractions include efforts to import narcotics, child pornography, firearms, endangered antiquities, large sums of money, or goods prohibited by international law such as ivory and animal skins. In many borderlands, there is an active...