Pilgrims have increased business in an unlikely area, the city's brothels.

Adult Business Association spokesman Chris Seage said the boom in business had taken brothel owners by surprise.

"The brothel owners are having to put on extra girls to meet the demand," he said.

"Business is up by around 20 per cent in brothels in the city, Surry Hills, Bondi and the lower North Shore. The owners are saying they have not seen anything like it since the Olympics."

Visiting media and support staff were adding to the trade.