Is ‘Libertine Tourism’ Just Prostitution for People Who Fly First Class?

And where is this going on, anyway? Asking for a friend.

December 14, 2016 9:00 am

There is a big difference between sex tourism and sexy tourism. 

The former is a scourge of the Earth, condemning women to lives of desperation and penury. 

The latter is … not that at all. 

Given that “sex tourism” has possibly, and deservedly, the worst branding in the entire industry, marketers needed a way to convey travel experiences that are fun, consensual and, uh, pleasure-minded. Enter “libertine tourism” — or, as it was originally coined by (no surprise) the French, tourisme libértine.

In other words: get your naughty on, away from home. 

Good news if you’re interested: it’s everywhere, according to Forbes Travel. “Cruises, trains, palaces, villas, chalets, hotels, B&Bs and even campsites are among the growing choice of establishments specializing in licentiousness … Swingers and aficionados of foam parties, group sex, latex parties, exhibitionism and other sexual practices reportedly pay large sums for the pleasure of mixing sexual adventures and tourist explorations in many corners of the globe.”

Unsurprisingly, it’s found an audience. 

In Europe, the libertine market brought in €1.2 billion last year (that’s a lot of foam). And €100 million of that went to a single French town with an appreciation for naturism (to the extent that there’s a section devoted to it on the city’s website): Cap d’Agde.

If you can wait until next September to give this particular trend a try, there’s the Desire Cruise (a.k.a. “Venice Foreplay”): “a high-end, sensual yet spicy experience in a luxurious and secure environment.”

Rooms going fast! 

via Forbes Travel

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