World Economic Forum: While leaders debate the world economy, Davos sees a surge in sex worker demand

Demand for sex workers in Davos skyrocketed during this year’s World Economic Forum, with one client reportedly spending $114,000 over four days, exposing a hidden economy alongside global power talks.

WEBDESK – Imran Malik – January 26, 2026

As global leaders and CEOs gathered in Davos to debate the future of the world economy, a parallel and far less discussed demand surged quietly in the Alpine town, highlighting a side of the World Economic Forum that rarely makes the official agenda.

According to the Swiss platform Titt4Tat, which connects adult escorts with clients, requests for sex workers spiked dramatically during the opening days of the forum. On Jan. 19 alone, inquiries reportedly jumped by as much as 4,000% compared with normal daily levels, coinciding with the arrival of political leaders, tech executives and wealthy financiers.

Davos typically sees only a handful of bookings on an average day. During WEF week, however, demand accelerated sharply, with users from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine accounting for a significant share of inquiries, the platform said. Service providers noted increased interest across multiple categories, reflecting the spending power and discretion sought by elite visitors.

While Davos is globally synonymous with high-level panels on geopolitics, climate change and markets, the spike underscores how major global events also generate shadow economies that operate outside the spotlight. Local reports said some workers traveled temporarily to Davos, while others included students, teachers or travelers seeking short-term income during the high-profile gathering.

The costs added up quickly. Beyond already steep prices for hotels, security and transport during the forum, some clients reportedly spent six-figure sums over several days, illustrating how wealth concentrates — and circulates — during global summits.

The trend has reignited debate in Switzerland about regulation, transparency and the social impact of mega-events. For critics, the surge reflects hypocrisy among elites discussing ethics and inequality by day while fueling a lucrative underground market by night. Supporters counter that it is a predictable byproduct of demand-driven economies wherever extreme wealth and exclusivity converge.

As Davos continues to symbolize global economic power and leadership, the growing visibility of its unofficial economy serves as a reminder that not all global demand fits neatly into conference halls or policy statements — yet it rises all the same.