In 2012 the estimated economic contribution to our national GDP of some of Cape Town's central city events include the Mining Indaba (R106 million), Design Indaba (R326.9 million), Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour (R450 million), Cape Town International Jazz Festival (R700 million), The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (R223 million), The Loerie Awards and Creative Week (R100 million).
"These events, together, attract well over 159 400 attendees, which has an enormous positive ripple effect on businesses such as hotels and retailers within the CBD too," said Rob Kane, chairman of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID).
According to the CCID's 2012 State of Cape Town Central City Report; the Cape Town CBD hosts 75% of all major local events, as well as 90% of business and international events in the Cape Town Metro.
"Our research shows that 30% of visitors who come here for business at first come back again for leisure," said Kane. "The statistics are a result of a strategy aimed at ensuring that the CBD is a quality environment where business can flourish. If you add this to the natural beauty of Table Mountain, the CBD is clearly an ideal location to host conferences and events," he added.
According to Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism: "Whilst international visitors do weigh up the cost and time of a long-haul flight to the tip of Africa from Europe and America, the travel time is offset by the complexity and authenticity of our diverse and textured urban offering."
The CBD's status as a destination favourite for conferencing is not a fleeting one. "According to the CCID's 2012 State of Cape Town Central City Report, the CTICC already has more than 863 bookings confirmed up until 2020 and with its R700 million expansion scheduled for completion in mid-2015, this number will only increase," said Kane.
Readers of the Daily Telegraph, one of the UK's most widely read daily newspapers, recently voted Cape Town as their Favourite City Worldwide for 2012. This tribute from a well-respected publication contributes to the city's standing as a competitive destination for business and leisure tourism.
"Tourism of any kind is a vital contributor to the economy of the central city of Cape Town. We have no doubt that with the expansion of the CTICC and improving infrastructure, such as the expanded public transport network and faster broadband, we will be able to grow tourism in Cape Town even further, increasing the 30% of business visitors who return to our shores for leisure," said Kane.
