Cape Town Conventions Booming

One of the biggest changes in our business profile over the last few years has been the increase in convention/leisure travelers, those here to attend a formal convention, but also out to have fun.  Often they are accompanied.

A year ago, the South African National Conventions Bureau (SANCB) was formed, and more recently Cape Town City has moved its focus from pure tourism to more business travelers, including conventions.

The CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold then stepped down, or was pushed.  Needless to say there has been much wailing and gnashing of exclamation marks over this.

My humble views on the subject:

• Conventioneers and business people are always welcome – they spend loads of hard currency, and the sight of our fair city usually brings them back. With friends.
• Pure leisure  tourism is doing fine.  Cape Town’s reputation has never been better.
• All the great city destination of the world (New York, London) are both leisure and business destinations.
• Much of the bleating from local tourism players is for a good reason – there are far too many beds in Cape Town, and the weak are failing.

In other words – get your convention on.

Cape Town Convention Centre