A Lanzarote resort for sexually liberated couples has undertaken a major survey of swinging in a bid to demystify this ‘massive’ sector.
Spice Lanzarote said the results give a very interesting insight into a growing ‘lifestyle’.
It estimates that in the UK there are in excess of 500,000 married swingers, and a similar number in Italy.
Meanwhile, a specialist swinger website for German speakers only JoyClub has over 1.9 million members.
"The object of the survey is to demystify a massive sector of Europe," said Julian Woolley, Spice Lanzarote marketing spokesman.
"To the uninitiated it seems hidden and underground, a dark, secret and sordid twilight world. However the reality is somewhat different.
"In Europe it is more representative of the mindset that ushered in the sexual revolutions of the 20’s and 60’s. The reality is that an honest relationship today is one where couples can discuss their sexual fantasies with their partner.
"From then the boundary is a blurred one, between the ones that experiment further and those that don’t. This survey provides some insight into the millions of people that do, possibly your neighbors, colleagues, local business owners, teachers, public servants, lawyers, waiters, close friends and the person standing next to you right now!"
The survey was carried out among 3,026 of Europe’s most sexually liberated people between August 2014 and March 2015, in collaboration with swinger clubs and specialist websites Europe wide.’¨
Participants were asked over 60 questions on their sexual views and behaviour and the results are due to be published online on September 7.
According to some findings released today, only 5% of European swingers claim to be single and 95% are in long term committed relationships.
Some 92% state swinging has not damaged the relationship with any long term partner and 90% say it has strengthened the relationship.
Over half (58%) of swingers do not admit swinging to anyone, of those that do, 40% tell friends but only 4% will tell a family member.
