Why the global elite of the rich meets at Davos' Swiss resort

Thousands of politicians and business leaders will gather at Davosin, Switzerland, this week for the annual World Economic Forum, including US President Donald Trump. But why do the world's richest gather on the Swiss resort?

This year's Global Economic Forum (WEF) caused a stir before it began on January 19th, and this was largely due to American President Donald Trump's participation.

His arrival comes amid the US's strained relations with its European allies not only because of Trump's threat of receiving Greenland, but also his warning of punitive tariffs due to their opposition to the act, writes The Local, broadcasts albinfo.ch.

Despite the conflicts that arise during the annual meeting, Davos is mostly a quiet and peaceful city.

Where and what is Davos?

Davos is in the Grabüden canton. This area is known for its fascinating alpine landscapes and as a paradise for winter sports.

It is also famous (or notorious) for attracting a rich clientele to the slopes. And located at 1,560 feet above sea level, is officially the highest city in Europe.

In addition to the varied sports and leisure bid, Davos is well known as a meeting place for world experts, powerful business leaders, politicians and super rich thanks to his role as host of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

FEB 2026, which takes place from January 19th to January 23rd, attends about 3,000 people.

Why do the rich and powerful meet there and not elsewhere?

This largely depends on organizational reasons dating back to early days. Klaus Schwab, founder and former executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, is German of origin. But he has Swiss ancestors and he knows Davos since his childhood. As a 10-year-old, he learned to ski there, Schwab said.

In the founding phase of the Forum, Schwab was a professor of economics at the Geneva Industrial Efficiency Centre and had to organise an event on his anniversary in 1971.

His idea was to organise an international meeting of managers, the European Management Symposium, which was the name of the World Economic Forum by 1987.

Who lives there?

Davos has a permanent population of about 11,000 people located on the plateau among the Alps peaks. Those living there may engage in sports, or at least in clean mountain air.

Ski areas on the hill and in open terrain include Jacobshoporn, Pischa, Rinerhorn and Parsen. Tourism leaders advise people to go to the ski tracks when the World Economic Forum is held because then they are calmer.

Meanwhile, summer activities include swimming and sailing at Lake Davos, as well as walking in the wild and mountain cycling.

There is also a picturesque train trip called Glacier Express connecting Davos with Matterhorn.

Davos is also known for cafes, theatres, concerts, cinemas and living night life./Periscopi/