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The Different Sides Of Davos

The town of Davos lies nestled in a lush valley between two
Swiss mountain ranges. It snakes through the valley
alongside the Landwasser River (Landwasserstrasse.) A person
may get two entirely different impressions of Davos
depending upon whom he asks. Davos is a city of dual
personalities, so to speak. Ask a sports enthusiast or
vacation buff, and one will hear of the marvelous skiing.
Ask a business person or economist, and you'll hear of
Davos, seat of politics, business and economy. After all, it
is the host city to the most renowned economic summit in
Switzerland, the World Economic Forum.

Granted, its reputation as a winter sports haven precedes
Davos' suit-and-tie image by some 100 years. One of the
earliest sporting events to be held there was speed skating.
Davos was home to numerous speed skating championships
beginning in the late 1800s.

Hockey followed closely on the heels of speed skating. The
city is still home to the Spengler Cup championship. This
annual tournament rivals only the Stanley Cup in longevity.
It is hosted by Davos' own hockey club, which was founded in
1921. Each year between Christmas and New Year's Day the
club welcomes teams from around the world.

When it comes to winter sports though, Davos is most famous
for its skiing. Its reputation as a stellar ski area has
been well established since the 1800s. Of course, many
changes have occurred since then. New technologies have led
to a ski resort town that draws thousands of tourists
yearly. Investors have poured mightily into the city. It is
currently a favourite holiday destination for visitors from
the UK and the Netherlands, and often it's a choice for
skiers who like the best between a Swiss ski holiday or ski
holidays in France

In 1971, Davos adopted a new face. This one was about as far
from ice hockey and skiing as a city can get. It was the
face of economics. The city became host to the annual World
Economic Forum. Visitors in business suits instead of ski
parkas began to converge upon the valley. They have done so
every year since. They include representatives from such
high profile organizations as Amnesty International and
Oxfam.

In fact, hundreds of organizations are represented at the
World Economic Forum. The summit attracts business people,
entrepreneurs, social activists, economists, educators and
communicators from around the globe. They meet together to
discuss solutions to poverty, injustice, war, global warming
and genocide. They brainstorm ways to shape the world
economy in ways that are mutually beneficial to all
countries. They challenge each other to make a difference in
their own homes and countries.

The World Economic Forum, a non-profit organization based in
Geneva, has become a global force. It carries enormous
political clout. This is due in part to its strategic
positioning of political figures within the organization's
governance. The foundation places influential people in
positions such as the board of directors. Former British
Prime Minister Tony Blair is one example of such a leader.
This doesn't just give it leverage in all the right places.
It also lends it an air of credibility in the eyes of the
public.

This credibility doesn't hurt Davos' credibility either.
Davos, still a winter sports Mecca, has also earned a
reputation as a seat of thinkers, movers and shakers.

Davos in Switzerland, still a winter sports Mecca, has also
earned a reputation as a seat of thinkers, movers and
shakers. Its many sides have given it a permanent position
in the public eye and the world map.

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