Cape Town's impressive leap in global conference rankings highlights economic growth
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Cape Town and the Western Cape have solidified their status as Africa's premier destination for international association meetings, as revealed by the recently released International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) GlobeWatch 2024 Business Analytics Report.
The city has surged to an impressive 35th position globally, a leap of 15 places from the previous ranking.
The report highlighted that Cape Town hosted 58 international association meetings in 2024, a notable increase from 42 in 2023, and places the city among the top 10 worldwide for average attendance per event, with an average of 717 delegates per meeting.
Stellenbosch, a key player within the Western Cape, has also demonstrated ongoing success in the rankings, hosting seven meetings last year.
Over the past decade, it has become a welcome fixture in the international conference landscape, having successfully hosted 100 meetings from 2013 to 2024.
Smaller towns like George, Grabouw, Knysna, and Paarl are beginning to carve out their niches as attractive venues for international events, further spreading the benefits of business tourism across the province.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Nationally, South Africa continues to dominate as the top-performing country on the continent, with an increase in international meetings from 84 in 2021 to 98 in both 2023 and 2024.
This growth is projected to deliver over R2 billion in revenue to the national economy, validating the significance of international meetings in contributing to economic development.
'This ranking shows that Cape Town and the Western Cape stand shoulder to shoulder with global conference hubs such as Dubai, Barcelona, and Melbourne. We are particularly pleased that smaller towns across the province are experiencing the benefits of business events," said Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander.
She noted that the Cape Town and the Western Cape Convention Bureau secured 36 new conference bids in the 2024/25 financial year alone, which is expected to generate R745 million in economic impact and attract over 27 000 delegates through to 2028.
The impact of these international meetings was further underscored by Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Ivan Meyer.
'These outstanding results reflect the Western Cape's global competitiveness and the tangible economic impact of business events. Every international meeting we host fuels job creation, investment, and innovation - while positioning our region as a hub of knowledge and expertise,' he said.
Supporting the positive narrative, mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos, said Cape Town's impressive rise in global rankings reflects the city's world-class infrastructure and skilled workforce, buttressed by public-private partnerships.
'Business tourism remains a key pillar of our economic growth strategy - each international meeting not only boosts hotel bookings and restaurant traffic, but also significantly enriches our local economy.
"This is why we proudly fund the Convention Bureau, as we recognise how strategic support can unlock tremendous benefits for our communities,' Vos said.
With Cape Town climbing the ranks as a desired global venue for international meetings, its future as a thriving business tourism hub shines bright, paving the way for economic prosperity and community enrichment across the region.
Cape Argus
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa remains hopeful in US tariff negotiations
President Cyril Ramaphosa is still hopeful that South Africa can find a way out of the US tariffs within the next seven days. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed hope that his administration will still be able to find a way out of the 30% tariffs that US President Donald Trump implemented on Friday, but to be effective within the next seven days from the deadline. In case South Africa fails to convince Trump, the Presidency said in a statement released on Friday that the government was finalising a package to support local companies affected by the tariffs. 'The package consists of a number of measures to assist companies, producers, and workers affected by the tariffs on SA exports to the US,' read the statement. Ramaphosa's office will announce the details of the measures in due course. The office said, according to Trump's Executive Order published late this week, the products affected by the tariffs when exported to the US market include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, and energy products. Addressing the media after the inauguration of Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister on Friday, Ramaphosa said the seven days were the window period for the continuation of the engagements with the US. He stated that South Africa was not the worst affected among many countries by Trump's tariffs, although some countries fared slightly better. He said his government was in the process of holding discussions with the United States, as some local companies were dealing with the US customers. 'We export vehicles, steel, aluminum, and citrus, so we have to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. So, within the window that is still open, we are hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. 'So intensive negotiations are under way,' said Ramaphosa. After his private meeting with Trump at the White House on May 21, Ramaphosa expressed hope that he had mended the relationship. The visit was prompted by allegations that South Africa was mistreating its Afrikaner citizens and that it was in support of US enemies. However, it became clear this week that Trump was still hostile when he told journalists that he thought he would send someone to represent him in the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg in November because he had problems with South Africa's 'very, very bad policies, where lots of people are being killed'. As the country was still counting days before the tariff deadline, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the country was swiftly expanding its global trade partnerships as a strategy to mitigate the impact of the US tariffs on its exports. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant on the US market. Steenhuisen said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. He also said the state had finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China, table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines, and maize to India. Ramaphosa's administration said during its engagements with the US, it submitted a Framework Deal to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between the two countries. Ramaphosa was still optimistic that all channels of communication with Trump would remain open. 'Our negotiators are ready pending an invitation from the US. South Africa and the US trade relations are complementary in nature, and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry,' read the statement. The government was using its diplomatic channels with the US to safeguard its national interests for ensuring that companies keep producing high-quality products destined for the world, to prevent job losses. The latest Executive Order stated that products that were already on their way to the US via vessels before 12h01 am, Eastern Daylight Time, seven days after Friday, and entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, before 12h01am Eastern Daylight Time on October 5, 2025, will not be subject to the tariffs. In a joint statement issued on Friday, MPs DA MPs Toby Chance and Ryan Smith blamed Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and International Relations and Cooperation's Ronald Lamola for failing to secure a trade deal with the US. 'An executive order from the White House last night makes clear that US-imposed tariffs are now a certainty, to be levied on South African goods and produce from 07 August 2025, due to the negligence and ineptitude of two ANC ministers and their departments. 'Both the departments of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), and International Relations & Cooperation should hang their heads in profound shame today,' said the MPs. On July 29, the DTIC said the government was not going to retaliate against the tariffs, but was preparing itself for any scenario. 'We have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks who have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios. We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idly. 'We are working with other government departments on a response plan, which includes a support desk within the DTIC. Our response package also focuses on demand-side interventions in the impacted industries,' read the DTIC statement.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Tshwane's cleansing levy faces legal challenge as city plans to appeal court ruling
The City of Tshwane will appeal the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruling setting aside its R194 monthly cleansing levy. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The City of Tshwane will appeal the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, judgment declaring the R194 monthly cleansing levy unlawful, invalid, and of no force and effect, as well as setting it aside. Acting Judge George Avvakoumides on Thursday said the declaration of unlawfulness and setting aside of the cleansing levy included relevant portions applicable in various council documents. In the matter brought by lobby group AfriForum, the court also prohibited the municipality from having the by-law published and compelled it to take all reasonable measures to ensure that it would not be published. "To the extent that the publication has taken place, the city is ordered to take immediate steps to retract the publication by way of a further publication in which the previous publication, City of Tshwane metropolitan municipality waste management by-law, is forthwith withdrawn," reads the judgment. Acting Judge Avvakoumides also ruled that in the event the city has activated its billing systems to render accounts to residents and businesses with a cleansing levy, and take all reasonable measures and steps to ensure that residents and businesses are not billed for the cleansing levy. "To the extent that the city has already proceeded with the billing systems and has rendered accounts to residents and businesses with the cleansing levy, the city is ordered to forthwith take all reasonable steps and measures that the accounts of the affected residents and businesses who have been billed for a cleansing levy are credited with an amount equal to the cleansing levy during the following billing cycle," the acting judge ordered. City of Tshwane Environment and Agriculture Management MMC Obakeng Ramabodu said the municipality noted the judgment of its cleansing levy of R194 per month for customers using private refuse collection and will take the court's decision on appeal in pursuit of a safe and clean city for all. "The City of Tshwane will appeal this judgment as we remain steadfast in our belief that a cleansing levy aimed at improving the maintenance of our landfills is a step in the right direction, and necessary to ensure a safe and clean city for all," said Ramabodu. He added: "Much has been made of this cleansing levy, and it must be noted that a cleansing levy is not unique to the City of Tshwane. "A cleansing levy was introduced in Tshwane between 2016 and 2021 by the erstwhile government, which now claims to take exception to it." According to Ramabodu, this is disingenuous and does not put the environmental health and cleanliness of the city at the centre of discussions. AfriForum's district coordinator for Greater Pretoria South, Arno Roodt, said the implementation of the levy was nothing more than a fundraising ploy aimed at covering up years of poor planning and mismanagement.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
South African farmers on the frontline of US tariff hikes
More than 70% of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Image: Phando Jikelo/Independent Newspapers As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30% due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town. The prized wine -- produced with the same method as France's champagne -- had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate -- a renowned Cap Classique producer -- shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. "We realised, as a team, let's buy some time," Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. The aim was to have stock in place "that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US," he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The US market represents almost 15% of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. "The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026," he said. Four percent of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. 100,000 jobs at risk More than 70% of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. "It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like," Ferreira told AFP. "He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalising the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30% on agricultural products... It's ridiculous," he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialised economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33%. "The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines," Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between 6 to 8% of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "At the moment it's about 25 to 30% of our business," said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare (nearly 2,500-acre) plot. Death of a town? Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. "As an established business, we can survive this," he said. "We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward." "But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal," he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. "Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?" van der Merwe said. "And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops." "There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead," he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States, but said South African citrus was no threat. "We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price," he said. AFP
