December 31, 2002 5:03am


A DISPUTE has broken out in one of Europe's most elegant ski resorts over a travel company's decision to offer chalet holidays for wife-swappers.



Verbier prides itself on being one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps. Its creches accept even the newborn, and it is home to the Swiss Ski School for Mini Champions (aged three to 10). Britons are the most common foreign visitors.

However, the move by the French tour operator Papillon des Alpes to cater for wife-swapping has sparked protests and prompted a warning to couples considering its holidays from Britain's main relationship counselling service. Patrick Messeiller, Verbier's tourist director, said he had received several complaints from the locals.

"People are wondering what it was all about and are surprised," he said.

He has written asking the company to remove explicit images from its website.

"I am upset about the pictures, they are bad for us," said M Messeiller. He did not want Verbier to be portrayed as "a big brothel".

But he said the company was not acting illegally. "I suppose this sort of thing goes on in London. As long as we don't know what is happening behind the windows and it does not disturb the vicinity, I don't know what we can do."

One cafe owner said: "It may be legal, but I think it is in very poor taste."

Relate, formerly the National Marriage Guidance Council, said the concept was disturbing. Julia Cole, a counsellor, said: "People often imagine this is just a bit of fun but it can cause a great deal of damage.

"I have met couples who have taken part in this sort of thing and often it causes unhappiness, guilt, and feelings that the relationship will not survive, which often it doesn't."

Breaks for "swingers" in Verbier cost pounds 580 a week and are aimed at "broadminded, adventurous couples".

The company's brochure includes explicit pictures and says: "It is not necessary to actually have sex with other people to have a good time." Chalet girls "are not necessarily swingers, but neither are they prudish".

Although Verbier is a family resort, the official flag of the region shows two naked women in a wooden bath.

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