Cape Town Rises On World Congress Stage
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 Since 2003, when the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) first opened its doors, the Mother City has risen from the 47th to 29th destination of choice in the world.

Dirk Elzinga, managing director of the CTICC, believes that the new statistics [published 12 April 2007] by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which put Cape Town in 29th position for the number of meetings per city in 2006 (ahead of Durban in 168th position and Pretoria in 209th), are the result of a cohesive effort by the city, province and the tourism industry.

The 2006 figures list 42 congresses held in Cape Town, seven in Durban and five in Pretoria.

Vienna was the top ranked city worldwide in the Association Meetings Market 2006 Statistics Report, with 147 meetings held in 2006, followed by Paris (130) and Singapore (127).

Elzinga pointed out that not only was there a huge role for the tourism industry to play in attracting international congresses, but also for universities and the people connected to their programmes and research.

“We have four universities in Cape Town and that puts us in a privileged position in our ability to contribute to the scientific content of any international conference programme,” he said. International surveys have demonstrated that among the main reasons for decision-makers is the capability of the destination to add to their scientific programmes.

He said that it was also a formal recognition of the importance of the CTICC: “We have always said that Cape Town could, in time, achieve a Top-10 position on this important ranking list. We are on our way. Conference initiators around the world watch these statistics, and being identified as one of the most successful destinations of the year will have a positive effect on our marketing results for the future.”

As a country, South Africa held 64 international congresses in 2006 and its ranking moved up one place to 31st, ahead of Hong Kong, Ireland and India. The USA came top of the country rankings with 414 meetings.

In the three years that CTICC has been fully operational, Cape Town has improved its position dramatically. From 47th in 2003, it was 30th in 2004 (hosting 31 meetings) and 36th in 2005 (32 meetings). The new ranking of 29th (42 meetings) for the year 2006, shows further acknowledgement of the CTICC’s success and the city as a desirable destination. “This is reaffirmation that we are going in the right direction and is a welcome vote of confidence,” said Elzinga.

However, he warned that while Cape Town had every reason to continue to do well as many major congress bookings had been made for the years ahead, the rest of the world would not be sitting idle. “It’s much easier to come from nowhere. We really have to make a collective effort with Cape Town Routes Unlimited and hospitality centres across the region to reinforce our position for the years to come.”

The recent International Diabetes Federation congress held at the CTICC in December, which brought 12 700 delegates to Cape Town, was the first of a number of large congresses planned. Bookings for congresses with more than 10 000 delegates have already been made for 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014.

Among the international highlights taking place this year at CTICC will be the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) conference, the World Economic Forum on Africa, the International Home Textile Exhibition, and the International Corporate Governance Network Conference.
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