GERMANY: Global economic crisis hits German sex industry

Record ID: 714581

  • Title: GERMANY: Global economic crisis hits German sex industry
  • Date: 22nd April 2009
  • Summary: HAMBURG, GERMANY (APRIL 16, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF "GEIZHAUS" (STINGINESS HOUSE) BROTHEL IN HAMBURG'S WANDSBEK DISTRICT GEIZHAUS MANAGER ANKE CHRISTIANSEN OPENING DOOR FOR CLIENT PASCAL PROSTITUTE INTRODUCING HERSELF AS "MARY" SHAKING HANDS WITH PASCAL PROSTITUTES SHOWING THEIR CHESTS, PASCAL LOOKING AT THEM AS HE MAKES UP HIS MIND WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE "GEIZHAUS DOLLAR" PLASTIC TOKENS ON COUNTER PASCAL PAYING 40 EUROS (INCLUDING TIP) FOR 38,50 HALF HOURLY RATE WITH MARY MARY AND PASCAL CLIMBING STAIRS AND DISAPPEARING IN ROOM, DOOR SHUTS MARY SITTING ON SIDE OF BED, SMOKING, PAN TO MIRROR ON CEILING CIGARETTE IN MARY'S HAND (SOUNDBITE) (German) MARY, HAMBURG PROSTITUTE SAYING: "Business got tougher: it's no longer the case that you show up for work the next day and you know that you'll make a certain amount, like it used to be. You never know what the next day brings." POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (German) MARY, HAMBURG PROSTITUTE SAYING: "In the early days, 38,50 euros was a special rate, compared to 60 or 80 euros for a half hour. Now, it's 50 euros for the standard programme or 70 euros for the flat rate, in the middle of Hamburg. I really think that's amazing." PASCAL SEATED AT BAR, TALKING TO MANAGER MANAGER IN DISCUSSION WITH PASCAL (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASCAL, PUNTER SAYING: "Of course we all feel (the crisis). In the past, we came to three times a week, a colleague and mine, now we're thinking twice. Visits are getting less." SCULPTURE OF COPULATING PIGS (SOUNDBITE) (German) ANKE CHRISTIANSEN, MANAGER "GEIZHAUS" BROTHEL SAYING: "Our regular guests don't come as often anymore as they used to. Some came here three to four times a week and they reduced it to once or twice a week. Others reduced their visit to twice a month. We do feel the difference, yes."
  • Embargoed: 7th May 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Economic News,Employment
  • Reuters ID: LVA9HAPS297XJF50W46SG263RWXV
  • Story Text: Global economic crisis hits German sex industry.
    It did not take long for the world financial crisis to affect the world's oldest profession in Germany.
    In one of the few countries where prostitution is legal, and unusually transparent, the industry has responded with an economic stimulus package of its own: modern marketing tools, rebates and gimmicks to boost falling demand.
    Some brothels have cut prices or added free promotions while others have introduced all-inclusive flat-rate fees. Free shuttle buses, discounts for seniors and taxi drivers, as well as "day passes" are among marketing strategies designed to keep business going.
    Other novel ideas used by brothels and prostitutes include loyalty cards, group sex parties and rebates for golf players.
    Hamburg's "GeizHaus" is especially proud of its discount
    50 euro price. The city has Germany's most famous red-light district, the Reeperbahn, in the notorious St. Pauli district.
    Anke Christiansen, manager of the "GeizHaus", said the effects of the economic crisis were clear. "The regular customers who used to come by two or three times a week are only coming by once or twice a week now."
    A "GeizHaus" client, who gave his name as Pascal, said: "Naturally we're all feeling the effects of the crisis." He added that he could no longer afford his usual two or three visits a week.
    Mary, who said she ended up working as a prostitute at GeizHaus to pay off her debts, said that "business got tougher."

    "It's no longer the case that you show up for work the next day and you know that you'll make a certain amount, like it used to be."
    In Munich, the head of an information centre intended for "Women who Prostitute Themselves," said that "of course, the prostitutes feel the economic crisis, just like all other big events such as the introduction of the euro or the enlargement of the European Union."
    Carmen Joerg told Reuters Television "men don't spend money as easily anymore and the women have less punters, they say."
    Germany has about 400,000 professional prostitutes. Official figures do not distinguish between the sexes and the number of male prostitutes is not known, but they account for a small fraction of the total and are treated the same under the law.
    In 2002, new legislation allowed prostitutes to advertise and to enter into formal labour contracts. It opened the way for them to obtain health insurance, previously refused if they listed their true profession.
    Annual revenues are about 14 billion euros ($18 billion), according to an estimate by the Verdi services union. Taxes on prostitution are an important source of income for some cities.
    Prostitution is also legal and regulated in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Greece, Turkey and in some parts of Australia, and the U.S. state of Nevada.
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