Melbourne, Sep 30 : A new study has found that popular Aussie tourism destinations are fast becoming hotbeds for infidelity.

According to the Cairns Post, locales where tourism is the predominant industry could harbour major problems for married couples, particularly when faced with an influx of randy holidaymakers.

University of Otago researcher Dr Linda Malam, whose original study was based on surveys of women in southern Thailand, said popular tourism destinations such as Cairns has come to be regarded as “sexually transgressive” zones, with holiday trysts an integral part of backpacking experiences.

In the case of both local men and women straying from their partners, there was a higher potential these sexual indiscretions could be hidden away from the prying eyes of friends and family members.

“They’re obviously out of the surveillance zone of their friends and family,” News. com. au quoted Dr Malam as saying.

“The implications of their sexual liaisons and trysts are minimal as long as they practice safe sex. Many people see their backpacking experience as a real hiatus from ordinary life,” she said.

Dr Malam said the temptation to stray from a partner appeared to be far greater for those who worked in the diving industry.

“For men who work in the diving industry, I really think there is a high potentiality for problems there,” she said.

“Working in the tourism industry, you’ve got a high potentiality to meet people who are sexually available and looking for new sexual experiences and you’re working in occupations that have high desirability in that sexual economy,” she added.

Dr Malam’s research was presented at the Institute of Australian Geographers Conference, held at James Cook University in Cairns this week. (ANI)