Municipality of Davos bans free riders from the WEF
Published: Thursday, May 2nd 2024, 10:10
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From 2025, free riders will no longer be allowed to present themselves during the World Economic Forum (WEF). Only companies invited by the WEF, nations and non-profit organizations will be given a place on the Davos promenade.
This decision and other restrictive measures were taken unanimously by the Small District Council, as Philip Wilhelm, the mayor of Davos, told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Thursday.
The strain on the already overloaded infrastructure was simply too great with around a third of the free riders. Even the security staff were finding it increasingly difficult to find beds and therefore had to be accommodated further and further away.
Do not disturb tourism
For the WEF in January 2025, construction work on the temporary buildings on the Promenade will also be further restricted. Up to now, stores have been converted and new temporary buildings erected for weeks to showcase companies, nations and organizations.
As in 2024, however, no construction work may take place during the Christmas vacations next year in order not to disrupt tourism. Foundations and outer shells may be built in December, but the interior work will not start until a week before the WEF.
The municipality also reduced the working hours. Instead of working until 10 p.m. as before, employees will only be allowed to work until 8 p.m. due to the noise.
Further restrictions possible
However, in order to give the municipality further options for even more restrictive measures, the law needs to be amended. On June 9, the Davos electorate will therefore vote on the partially revised building law.
Wilhelm expects a positive decision, he added. The demands for these stricter rules would also come from the locals, among others.
©Keystone/SDA
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