"O Império dos Sentidos": romance e sexualidade em contexto turístico de sol e mar

Tourism research tends to ignore love and sexuality, which are still a kind of taboo in this area. So far, most of the literature produced consists of analyzing (and denouncing) the practices of commercial sex on tourism destinations. However, it is necessary to assume that sexual activities during travellig vacations do not always involve negative characteristics, such as exploitation, prostitution, human trafficking or pedophilia, as those described within the "sex tourism paradigm". A serious examination of the nexus between tourism and sex has to contemplate a nuanced perspective of reality. In other words, this articulation extends far beyond the narrow confines of «sex tourism», since most of the sexual practices are positive and non-pecuniary. The results of this study, from a mixed methodological approach, confirm the strong relationship between vacation time and the availability for sex and romance outside the “sex tourism paradigm” in one of the most recognized sun and sea destinations in Europe – the Algarve (South Portugal). The liminal nature of tourism plays an important role on intimate relationships, either for long-term couples or new found partners at the destination. However, answers to the research questions show different patterns according to gender and other personal characteristics. Key words: Tourism, Sex, Sex Tourism Paradigm, Romance, Liminality, Gender, Sexual Double Standard.