Cape Town Awaits Conv. Ctr. Opening, Airport Upgrades

The Cape Town International Convention Centre is less than one year away from its July opening and already has surpassed all international conference booking expectations for its first year of operation.

The center aimed to secure 15 international conferences between July 2003 and July 2004, but already has booked 22 events and is holding space for several additional conventions.

"Internationally, there are only a handful of convention centers that accommodate more than 30 international conferences annually, and in Africa there are none," said CTICC managing director Dirk Elzinga. "To put this into perspective, Amsterdam, which has been operating for over 40 years, holds an average of 35 international conventions a year. The Washington, D.C., convention center, which is also currently under construction and will open three months earlier than the CTICC, has booked only 15 international conferences for its first year of operation."

Elzinga said there were perceptions that the convention center was fully booked and unaffordable. "This is absolutely not the case." He said the center aimed to host 350 events next year, with almost 50 already booked by the international market and trade fairs and exhibitions. The 300 remaining events are aimed at the local market and smaller functions. Elzinga said the center initially focused on international events as these require greater time periods for preparation.

"International conventions are only one part of the event mix that will take place at the CTICC," Elzinga said. "Our national and regional event organizers are currently being exposed to all the special features and facilities available at the center, which can host events, such as multi-day national conferences, banquets, product launches, corporate meetings, incentive meetings, weddings, religious gatherings, indoor sporting matches, dances and parties and functions of all kinds."

Airport Upgrades On Track

At Cape Town International Airport, meanwhile, the first phase of a project to upgrade the international departure facilities was completed in August with the opening of a new departures holding area in the airport's International Departures Terminal.

According to airport general manager Monwabisi Kalawe, the new facility will be completed in time for next year's Cricket World Cup. "The opening of the new departures holding area signals the completion of phase one of the new R110 million (US$11 million) development. The second phase of establishing additional checkin and security and passport control facilities will be completed by December," he said. The third phase, which consists of installation of the first two air bridges at the airport, is expected to begin in early 2003. Future plans include further upgrades to the domestic terminals as well.