Since the miraculously peaceful transition to democracy, South Africa has become a very attractive host country for conferences of all kind. In particular the natural beauty of Cape Town together with the tolerant and positive attitude of its people renders an inspiring environment for conferences, negotiations and presentations. A colourful city at the end of the world with HiTech equipment.
There are also some game farms and nature reserves in the closer and wider vicinity of Cape Town that look after the physical and emotional wellbeing of the participants and their companions.
Whatever the interest is; culinary, shopping, historical or sportive, it is all and easily available in Cape Town. The conference participants as well as their companions can spend their leisure time in an eventful, enlightening or relaxing way. For example, they can choose from fitness centres, casinos, daytrips to the West Coast or the Winelands, museums, boat trips, golf or taking part in extreme sport. There are also a number of teambuilding activities on offer, even including something like the very popular African drumming sessions.
Clearly the time had come for Cape Town to afford itself a proper, big conference centre. Opening: July 2003. Very centrally situated, the CTICC offers auditoria for up to 1500 persons, a great number of banquetting and function rooms and exhibition space of up to 10.000 sqm. The integrated Arabella Hotel adds 500 luxury rooms to the large pool of upmarket accommodation in the city centre. Further information on the blue INFO page.
And so it doesn't come as a surprise that Cape Town is very much in demand as a venue for conferences, so far even without having had a proper conference centre yet, exclusively with private convention venues. There is actually a great variety of them to choose from. Luxury hotels of worldfame in town. And today conferencing in a relaxing rural environment is an increasingly popular alternative. Big wine estates like Constantia Uitsig and the convention "Village" at Spier in Stellenbosch - famous after the Middle East negotiations of 2002 - can accommodate and cater for large groups of participants.
Left: Cape Town's Convention Centre. Top: Meeting at Bloubergstrand. Centre: Vergelegen Wine Estate.