Tourism development: poor girls enter into temporary marriages with tourists for $500 (2 photos)

Temporary relationships, known as "marriages of convenience," have become a thriving industry in some villages in Indonesia. They boost tourism and the local economy, but are frowned upon by locals.





In the mountain resort of Kota Bunga in the village of Puncak, male tourists meet local women through agencies that help them arrange temporary marriages. Once both parties agree, they have a quick, informal wedding ceremony, after which the men must pay the women a bride price as compensation. Sexual intercourse is allowed between the husband and wife, and the woman is expected to do housework. When the tourist finishes their tour and leaves the country, the marriage is dissolved.

These temporary relationships, known as "marriages of convenience," have become a thriving industry in Punjab, boosting tourism and the local economy.

Initially, the girls were introduced to tourists by family members or acquaintances. Now they are handled by agencies.



A woman named Kahaya shared her experience of being such a wife since she was 17. She told the media that she has been married more than 15 times and that all of her "husbands" are tourists from the Middle East. Her first temporary husband was a 50-year-old tourist from Saudi Arabia. The man paid US$850 for the bride, but after the agent and the man who performed the marriage took their share, she was left with only half the amount. Five days after the wedding, the man flew back home and they "divorced."

Kahaya said she can earn between US$300 and US$500 per marriage, which she uses to pay rent and care for her sick grandparents.

The publication notes that most scholars, including many in the Shia branch of Islam, consider the practice completely unacceptable. Arranged marriages are also not recognized by Indonesian law because they contradict the main purpose of marriage, which is to create stable, long-term family relationships. Violating Indonesia's marriage laws can result in fines and imprisonment.