If you want to host a mega conference without the logistical hassle or fuss, alongside breath-taking scenery and in world-class facilities then South Africa should be your destination of choice.
Over the last 20 years we have hosted more than 1 038 international conferences and 118 meetings and have done so by adhering to the criteria of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
These events have been hosted to the highest standards, earning us a reputation as one of the most popular business tourism destinations in the world.
As gracious hosts we demonstrated our capabilities in transport, accommodation, safety and security, smooth immigration procedures and an abundance of leisure activities.
This is reflected in South Africa climbing three positions in the ICCA 2013 ranking of business tourism destinations to 34th place. Cape Town and Durban are now rated as Africa's top two cities for meetings and events.
Our successes in the business tourism sector were no easy feat. Apartheid had turned the country into an international pariah, excluded from holding international events.
At the end of apartheid the country's business tourism sector was underdeveloped with only a few small-scale facilities catering for the local market. In 1994 South Africa had no international convention centres.
Government together with our partners in the tourism sector began to steadily develop the industry. Understanding its job creation and economic potential, we adopted a national strategy and worked on raising our profile as a destination of choice.
Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said: "It should therefore come as no surprise that the South African government remains fully supportive of the business events industry and well recognises the impact that it continues to have on the economy."
He added: "In fact we have every reason to be thrilled about the impact of business events on attracting foreign direct spend and investment, creating jobs and positively shaping perceptions about our destination around the world."
The ICCA meetings hosted last year contributed around R1.2 billion to the country's economy. The 200 000 delegates who attended these meetings further contributed R6 billion.
Tourism in general remains one of South Africa's biggest success stories with international tourist arrivals reaching a high of 9.6 million tourists in 2013. In 2012 it contributed R93 billion to gross domestic product and created 1.4 million jobs.
Today South Africa boasts more than 2 598 world-class meeting and conference facilities. Our flagship venues include the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, the Sandton Convention Centre and the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Business tourism remains an important tourism growth area. Business travellers are known to spend on average three times more than their leisure counterparts and frequently cross over into leisure travel. About 40 per cent of business delegates to South Africa have returned on recreational visits.
It also offers huge exposure and a successful conference adds currency to our reputation. During the Climate Change Conference in 2011 we earned the United Nation's acclaim, not only for the manner in which we arranged the event but also for our leadership towards a successful resolution.
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