Meet South Africa, the business destination.

South Africa is known to many across the world for its golden sunshine picturesque scenery, handsome wildlife, warm beaches and homegrown wines. Beyond the tourism-worthy features, business event hosts and the millions of delegates that have visited the country over the years have experienced another aspect of South Africa – the country’s appeal as a business destination.

With over 1 700 meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) event venues, and the largest of those venues accommodating over 20 000 visitors, South Africa is Africa’s leading business destination; and the International Congress and Convention Associations’ (ICCA) number one convention destination in Africa and the Middle East.

Over the years the country has grown its’s business tourism statistics. During the Meetings Africa conference in 2018, it was announced that business tourism contributed R115 billion, 9.4% of GDP, to the country’s economy in 2017.

South Africa welcomes over one million business event delegates every year, and the business tourism industry created over 250 000 jobs both directly and indirectly in 2017.

With a population of 51 million, South Africa is a melting pot of diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs, making it a celebrated “Rainbow Nation” – a phrase coined by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Covering an area of 1.2 million km2 South Africa is as big as several European countries put together. Despite all the space, it will only take you a day to drive down the highway from Johannesburg North to the South of Cape Town, if you’re driving sensibly of course. And out of the window you can expect to see everything from lush green valleys to semi-deserts along the way.

The country has come a long way since the apartheid days, and today South Africa is a vigorous multi-party democracy with an independent judiciary and a free and diverse press. It has one of the world’s youngest and most progressive constitutions that protects both citizens and visitors.

South Africa has nine provinces and divides its governmental responsibilities across three major cities: Cape Town is the legislative capital; Pretoria is known as the administrative capital, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. Johannesburg is the nation’s biggest city and is dominated by modern financial and service sectors.

If you’re already invested in Africa or wish to be, South Africa is the gateway to doing business on the continent. The country’s investor-friendly environment produces two-thirds of Africa’s electricity and owns 40% of its phones. If you happen to see spectacular reflections from shiny metals, that’s because over half the world’s platinum and 10% of its gold comes from here.

And whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation during your business tours or social events, we have everything from the highest commercial bungee jumping bridge in the world at Bloukrans, to the biggest theme resort hotel in the world at Sun City.

Website: www.southafrica.net

Facebook: @SouthAfricaNationalConventionBureau

Twitter: @SA_NCB

South Africa

Meet South Africa as Africa’s leading business destination

www.southafrica.net