Latest ICCA rating confirms Joburg as a top MICE destination

ICCA rankings are announced annually by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), based on the number of rotating international association meetings hosted in a particular destinat

ICCA rankings are announced annually by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), based on the number of rotating international association meetings hosted in a particular destination. ICCA now is one of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings. It is the only association that comprises a membership representing the main specialists in handling, transporting and accommodating international events. ICCA’s network of almost 1000 members spans the globe, with members in over 90 countries worldwide.

After an astounding jump of 92 places in 2012 [from 234 to 142], Joburg has continued its steady climb, clocking in at position 136 in 2013 and now position 101 in 2014. In addition, we celebrate the improvement in our African rankings, up from number four in 2013 to number two in 2014.

โ€œWeโ€™re thrilled to learn about the improved ICCA rankings for our City as this is yet another demonstration that Johannesburg is a City at work. This comes hot on the heels of many accolades including being MasterCardโ€™s most visited City on the African continent in 2014,โ€ says Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau. Events play an important role in bringing tourists into our City, at the same time contributing to the building of our brand internationally and changing negative perceptions about our destination, adds Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau.

โ€œJoburgโ€™s continued improvement in its ICCA rankings is thanks to a collaborative effort with our industry partners, peers and stakeholders and confirms the Cityโ€™s status as a world class events business events destination,โ€ says Tau.

Benefits of Hosting Events

Hosting events has a direct and positive economic and development impact on the city and all who work and play within its boundaries. Economic benefits include spend, job creation and changing the perceptions of visitors to our city.

Large business events often attract between 500 and 1 000 international registrants, who generally stay for between 3 and 6 days, with a direct or indirect contribution to the tourism value chain, including accommodation, restaurants, tourist attractions and transport services.

Business tourism creates an ideal leveraging point to promote the city, not only as a premier destination for business (as the continentโ€™s financial and commercial hub) but also as an all-year-round destination for leisure, lifestyle, sports and mega-events and, even more importantly, as a centre for trade development and investment purposes.

Attracting large international conferences and events to the city facilitates the immediate flow of trade relations between Johannesburg and other cities, countries and industries. Moreover, there is an exchange of professional and intellectual capital and expertise, which comes about as a result of hosting each event in Joburg.

Guided by economic development objectives of the Growth and Development Strategy 2040, the Cityโ€™s mission is to continue positioning Johannesburg as one of the worldโ€™s leading cities, an all year-round leading business and events destination, and a vibrant, cosmopolitan centre for lifestyle, leisure, heritage, the arts, culture and entertainment.

This is aimed at ensuring shared and sustainable economic growth in the city, stimulating a vibrant second economy as well as the tourism sector.

Visitors to big-ticket events also benefit from the local tourism scene, which has boomed over the past 20 years and has seen an impressive increase in the number of visitor attractions, precincts, museums and sites highlighting Johannesburgโ€™s complex and fascinating story. These include the Origins Centre, Hector Pietersen Memorial and Museum, Museum Africa, Montecasino and the SAB World of Beer.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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