What Travelers Should Know About Davos and the World Economic Forum 2026
Nestled high in the Swiss Alps, Davos is a destination that effortlessly blends alpine charm with global significance.
Best known today as the annual meeting place of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the town offers a unique mix of winter tourism, mountain culture, and high-level international events that few places in the world can rival.
Where Is Davos and Why Is It Special?
Davos is located in eastern Switzerland, in the canton of Graubünden, at an altitude of approximately 1,560 meters (5,120 feet) above sea level.
Set in the Landwasser Valley and surrounded by snow-covered peaks, it is one of the highest towns in Europe and one of Switzerland’s most famous winter resorts.
Long before it became synonymous with global politics and economics, Davos gained international recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a health resort, particularly for patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.
Its clean mountain air and sunny climate attracted visitors from across Europe, including notable writers and artists.
Over time, Davos evolved into a major ski destination, known for its extensive slopes, modern lift systems, and vibrant winter atmosphere.
How Davos Became a Global Name
Davos’s transformation into a global meeting point began in 1971, when German economist Klaus Schwab founded the European Management Forum.
Initially conceived as a platform for European business leaders to exchange ideas, the gathering quickly expanded in scope and influence.
In 1987, it was renamed the World Economic Forum, reflecting its increasingly global outlook.
Since then, Davos has become synonymous with high-level discussions on global economic trends, geopolitics, climate change, technology, and social development.
Over the decades, the town has hosted historic encounters between world leaders and has often served as a discreet backdrop for diplomatic dialogue.
Today, the name “Davos” is recognized worldwide – not just as a ski resort, but as a symbol of global decision-making.
Davos 2026: What’s Happening This Year?
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 is taking place from January 19 to January 23, 2026, under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”
The focus this year is on how governments, businesses, and societies can work together in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, technological transformation, climate challenges, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Around 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries are attending, including heads of state, government ministers, central bank leaders, CEOs of major multinational companies, representatives of international organizations, academics, and selected media.
As always, the forum combines formal panel discussions with closed-door meetings and informal networking across Davos’s hotels, conference venues, and mountain lodges.
Visiting Davos During the World Economic Forum
Davos remains open to regular visitors during the WEF, but the experience is notably different from a typical alpine holiday.
The forum itself is invitation-only, and large parts of the town center operate under heightened security, with checkpoints, restricted zones, and visible police and military presence.
Accommodation is one of the biggest challenges for tourists during this period. Many hotels are booked months – or even years – in advance by forum participants, and any remaining rooms are often priced significantly higher than usual.
Helicopter traffic, motorcades, and media crews become part of the town’s daily rhythm, creating an atmosphere that is both fascinating and disruptive. That said, ski areas, hiking routes, and the outskirts of Davos generally remain accessible.
Some travelers enjoy witnessing the unique contrast between alpine leisure and global diplomacy, while others prefer to visit either before or after forum week, when the town returns to its more relaxed, resort-oriented character.
A Destination of Two Worlds
Davos is one of the rare places where global power discussions and winter tourism coexist. In January 2026, it once again finds itself at the center of world attention, while still offering breathtaking alpine scenery, world-class skiing, and traditional Swiss hospitality.
For travelers, Davos is not just a destination – it is an experience shaped by history, nature, and global influence.
Whether visited during the World Economic Forum or at a quieter time of the season, the town remains one of Switzerland’s most distinctive winter destinations.
Sources
- World Economic Forum – Official Website: https://www.weforum.org
- Davos Klosters Tourism Board: https://www.davos.ch
- Swiss Federal Office of Tourism (Switzerland Tourism)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – “World Economic Forum”
- Swissinfo.ch – Coverage of WEF and Davos history
