INTERSTATE prostitutes are increasingly visiting Tasmania "working tours" around Australia.

Dozens of sex workers now tour around the country, booking time and clients in various cities and regional centres.

Tasmania has become a popular location for the touring prostitutes, with up to 10 visiting the state each week.

Workers predominantly use newspaper classified ads to inform clients how long they will be in Tasmania.

But they also use personal websites or blogs to display their tour schedules, rates and personal information.

Scarlet Alliance spokeswoman Alina Thomas said touring had become an attractive option for sex workers.

She said workers usually booked a room in a motel or hotel to work from during their stay, but also occasionally stayed and worked out of friends' houses.

"One reason touring has become so popular is because sex workers can increase their marketing scope, and increase their client base and the profile within the industry," Ms Thomas said.

"Being the new face or fresh face in town has economic benefits.

"Also, some people might be travelling from regional areas to the cities where they can charge higher prices.

"Certainly, some of the people coming to Hobart are from regional areas on the mainland.

"There is also the added anonymity and discretion gained from working outside of a worker's home town."

Ms Thomas said touring to Tasmania had also become a lifestyle choice for many.

"I know some workers who come down to Tasmania and work for a few days," she said.

"But they also take in the sights and go to their favourite restaurants.

"The women coming down here are participating in Tasmanian culture as workers, tourists and consumers.

"I have also met a number of workers, that might be a little bit older or in semi-retirement, who love travelling and work a bit on the side to support it."

Sydney-based former Tasmanian prostitute Ivy, not her real name, regularly tours around Australia and often visits her old stomping ground in Hobart.

"I probably come down once or twice a year and probably work three or four days each time," Ivy said.

"I live in Sydney now, but after a few months working there (it) can get a bit stale - so I go touring."

Ivy said Tasmanian laws, which allowed individuals to work on their own or with a partner, were conducive for touring women.

"The laws can be pretty confusing at times, as all the laws are different in each state and territory," she said.

"The different laws affect where and when I work. For example I don't travel to Victoria any more because you have to be registered and I wouldn't be there in the state long enough to bother doing that.

"In Tasmania, you are allowed to work on your own or with one other person, which is perfect for people like me who work solo."

Hobart-based sex worker Lucy, not her real name, has also toured to other parts of Australia and knows several other workers who regularly visit Tasmania.

"A couple of times I have worked away with a friend who lives interstate," Lucy said.

"It can be profitable to travel to regional areas where there are not many local sex workers, plus you get to see something new.

"A couple of friends come to Hobart and combine visiting friends and family with working.

"It can be a bit like a working holiday for them."

Lucy said visiting workers benefited the Tasmanian sex industry.

"I think it is good for the industry to have interstate workers here," she said.

"It offers diversity, and some interstate workers offer specialist services that are not always available among local workers."

Link to Original Article in the Mercury"