JOHANNESBURG BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE

BusinessTravel Guide

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JOHANNESBURG

Looking to the Future

J O H A N N E S B U R G

JOHANNESBURG ohannesburg is commonly known as the rapidly changing heart of South Africa, and recognised by many as Jo’burg, the city is back on the up.

At its core, Johannesburg has a true feel of optimism about it after a somewhat tough two decades of decline, with its centre becoming a smart hub of modern construction. Included in this re-haul

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Johannesburg is emerging from a long period of struggle, establishing itself as a new business hub that marks an exciting turning point for the city

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Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Joe Palliser

are a selection of lofts, apartments and office developments that are interchangeable with the more ‘hipster’ neighbourhood of Maboneng.

This new development of Johannesburg is placing it firmly back on the map as one of the world’s most successful urban-renewal projects in the world.

Despite this success, it will still be evident upon your trip to the city that there is a stark divide in wealth and

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FACTS & FIGURES

Languages: English, Zulu, Afrikaans Population (2016): 4.4 million GDP (2015): 83.9 billion Currency: Rand Time zone: GMT +2 Dialling code: +27 Internet TLD: .za

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subsequently the longstanding issues with crime and poverty are yet to be completely eradicated.

Not only is the city’s infrastructure on-the-up, but also its business industry, making it the perfect place to spend a long business trip with plenty of variety.

Although it is important to bear the aforementioned in mind, Jo’burg remains an incredibly friendly city, with an endless array of options when it comes to where and how to spend your free time. Whether you are interested in accessing the city’s present culture, or immersing yourself in its past, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

The Business End SINCE 2014, ACCORDING to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities’ Index (GDCI), Johannesburg has emerged as Africa’s most visited city.

Two years later the city welcomed 4.57 million international overnight visitors, which stood at an impressive 24 percent increase on the previous year’s 3.69 million.

Jo’burg has also successfully topped the rankings in Africa when it comes to international visitor expenditure, with travellers spending approximately US$2.46 billion in 2016. As the economic hub of South Africa and one of the continent’s most exciting cities, Johannesburg offers cultural, leisure activities, sports, fashion and lifestyle activities that have made it the leading destination for both leisure and business tourists.

The city is recognised as the financial capital of South Africa, providing homes for 74 percent of the corporate

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headquarters in the country as well as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange – rating as one of the top 20 exchanges in the world in terms of market capitalisation.

As it is the most powerful commercial centre currently operating on the African continent, Jo’burg generates 16 percent of South Africa’s GDP and employs 12 percent of the national workforce. It is a particularly exciting place to find yourself when considering that fact, alongside the fact that its new infrastructure matches the leading first world cities, with a far lower cost of living.

Johannesburg plays host to an array of key industries and key areas of innovation, including banking and finance, gold mining, manufacturing, health sciences, transport, business services, information and communication technologies, automotive, television, film and creative industries.

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Exterior of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange building in South Africa

Office buildings in Sandton, Johannesburg

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Out & About

IT IS PERTINENT that that development of the tourism scene in Jo’burg during the past 20 years has seen a huge increase, particularly in the number of precincts, museums and attractions that highlight the city’s fascinating story.

You will note that a number of new an exciting sites have been reborn, including the Origins Centre at Wits, the Apartheid Museum at Gold Reef City, the award winning Liliesleaf Farm,

Hector Pieterson and Chancellor House museums and the epic Constitution Hill complex that is home to South Africa’s Constitutional Court.

The aforementioned are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the developments seen in Johannesburg at present; there are a number of diverse themes and attractions for all to enjoy.

Accommodation in Johannesburg is widely varied, with establishments that range from one to five-stars.

With excellent business connectivity, hotels such as Faircity Falstaff and The Indaba Hotel will provide you with a comfortable and spectacular home away from home.

Depending on where you are based during your trip, both of the aforementioned hotels provide you with the close proximity required for ease of travel, while also being far enough out to allow you to enjoy your free time.

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Johannesburg Tourism PERFECTLY IN KEEPING with the city’s reputable credentials, Johannesburg Tourism came to fruition in 2000 – the year that the city hosted the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Councillor Leah Knott, Member of the Mayoral committee for Economic Development explains how the tourism board is working to continue with Johannesburg’s exceptional growth.

Africa Outlook (AfO): Since inception, how has Johannesburg Tourism developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

Leah Knott (LK): As the City’s mandated DMO (Destination Marketing Organisation), Jo’burg Tourism is dedicated to promoting tourism growth in the City. Its primary function is to promote Johannesburg as a business, lifestyle, sport and leisure destination, both locally and internationally.

Its operations include running a Convention Bureau, a Visitor Services Bureau, as well as coordinating citywide tourism marketing programmes,

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tourism information gathering and analysis.

AfO: To this end, how would you say Johannesburg has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

Anton van der Merwe, Head of Market Development at Mastercard, South Africa (AVDM): The City of Gold has shown the highest year-on-year growth in visitor numbers of all the African cities ranked in the 2016 index, illustrating that its mix of shopping, iconic attractions and tourism offerings is clearly hitting the mark with international travellers. Significantly, Jo’burg also reported a four percent increase in international expenditure from 2015 – much greater than South Africa’s GDP growth of 0.3 percent in 2016. This indicates that Johannesburg is well positioned to be an engine of broad economic growth for the country.

Jo’burg boasts excellent transport connectivity (serviced by some 55 airlines and Africa’s largest inland port/ freight hub at City Deep), a BRT and Africa’s only high-speed train service (Gautrain).

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Home to 4.9 million people - the majority of whom are aged between 19 and 39 – Jo’burg is not only a youthful city, but also one of the youngest, significant global cities. Established in 1886 with the discovery of the world’s richest gold deposits, it is only 132 years old. It is also one of the world’s biggest cities that has not been established on - or close to - a large body of water such as a bay or large river.

AfO: Taking a more general industry stance, how would you evaluate the tourism sector in Johannesburg now compared to its condition when the Tourism Board began?

LK: Vilakazi Street in Soweto, the Maboneng Precinct to the east of the CBD, as well as Braamfontein further north, are just some of the lively neighbourhoods and precincts which have come into their own over the past decade or more.

The city was also named the 33rd most economically powerful city globally, out of 84 leading financial cities in the 2015 edition of the Global Financial Centres Index.

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Joburg is home to the iconic 94 736-seater FNB stadium, the largest venue in South Africa. It has hosted some of the biggest international and local events including a Memorial Service for Tata Nelson Mandela, and musical acts including U2, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. It also plays host to major sporting events such as the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™, the African Cup of Nations final in 2013, as well as major football matches like the popular Soweto Derby that involves two South African Premier Soccer League football giants, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Jo’burg has around 20 lifestyle and destination markets - some only focus on food, others are broader and include everything from food and fashion to art & crafts; they range from daily to monthly in frequency. Accessibility by road, rail & air - including Gautrain, Africa’s first high speed rail network and 55 airlines link Johannesburg to the rest of the country, continent and the world are incredibly important.

AfO: What is in store for Johannesburg over the course of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future?

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LK: Jo’burg Tourism’s operations are guided by the City’s 10 Priority Implementation Plans (PIPs). The Tourism department contributes significantly to two of them, namely: five percent Economic Growth and Job Creation - reducing unemployment to under 20 percent by 2021.

The Department of Economic Development’s strategic objective is to promote Johannesburg to be the number one African destination of choice for both business and leisure in an effort to: Improve seasonality, length of stay and tourist spend during visits to Joburg, improve the diversity of the tourism offering in Jo’burg and build a positive image for the city among local, national and international audiences.

AfO: Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five year’s time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back, both in regards to Johannesburg Tourism as an entity, and in regards to the business travel industry in Johannesburg as a whole?

LK: The Department of Economic Development’s aim is to ensure that tourism plays a significant role in emphasising Johannesburg’s positioning as the ideal business events destination. Aside from

the significant role played by tourism in strategically creating and strengthening international relations, and contributing significant economic benefits, hosting business events also contributes to the knowledge economy of host cities, countries and communities.

As an administration we are dedicated to establishing an enabling environment to achieve five percent economic growth and improve investor confidence in Johannesburg. We are committed to creating a visitor-friendly city in line with the Executive Mayor’s growth targets of five percent, the top 10 Mayoral priorities and initiatives like A Re Sebetseng (cleaning up the city), Buya Mthetho (by-law enforcement) and Diphetogo (business unusual).

We hope to have made a marked increase in the number of leisure tourists that visit Jo’burg. By marketing the full spread of attractions in the city, we aim to achieve a broader distribution of money spent in Jo’burg. Tourists currently spend most of their time in Sandton and will perhaps take a short trip to Vilakazi Street in Soweto. The city obviously has a lot more to offer than that. By increasing awareness of the attractions in all corners of the city, we can increase tourism spend in lesser-known areas and contribute to economic growth in those areas.

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

Outlook Recommends “The city is awash with superb museums, mostly offering deep insight into South Africa’s troubled past such as the Apartheid Museum. Delve in and experience the buzz of a city undergoing an incredible rebirth.” – Lonely Planet

HOTELS Faircity Falstaff Hotel

RESTAURANTS The Indaba Hotel Situated just north of the fast-paced, business-minded Sandton, lies the perfectly placed Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre.

You will quickly discover that the hotel provides the perfect escape for a business traveller, nestled beneath the incredible vista of the Magaliesberg Mountains. The hotel provides a balanced blend of businesslike convenience and efficiency, while also providing a relaxed and warm atmosphere for all.

The Falstaff Faircity hotel provides guests with both an intimate and elegant experience, situated in a hotel that is hidden in the peaceful suburb of Morningside, Sandton. A stay at the hotel will provide you with an expanse of beautiful gardens, a spacious pool to provide a surprising escape that is only a short distance from the Sandton Gautrain Station, Sandton Convention Centre, major highways, shopping centres and restaurants.

Initially the vision for the Falstaff was an eight-bedroom guest house, however, as the design process progressed the vision expanded to a 41-room boutique hotel that perfectly caters to the requirements of both leisure and corporate.

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Marble Restaurant Urban Garde Cuisine Moyo BARS Stanley Beer Yard Hell’s Kitchen Bolton Road Collection MUSEUMS Origins Centre Apartheid Museum Standard Bank Gallery RETAIL

Protea Hotel Johannesburg Parktonian All-Suite

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Sandton City 27 Boxes Oriental Plaza

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Railway coaches at Park Station, Johannesburg

ALONGSIDE THE IMPRESSIVE draw Johannesburg attracts for the business community, the city also draws-in 60.4 percent of all domestic trips to Gauteng, accounting for 67 percent of all trips undertaken for entertainment, 72.7 percent of those undertaken for education purposes, 78.3 percent of trips for medical purposes, 75 percent of trips for sports participation, and 83 percent of

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Location of Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport

trips taken to the province by sports spectators.

In order to support this, Jo’burg has a world-class infrastructure that branches across from its international airports, high-speed trains, excellent road infrastructure, great public transport network, a huge range of quality accommodation options and meeting venues.

All of the aforementioned

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developments perfectly showcase the city’s extraordinary story and continued infrastructural developments such as the Gautrain, Rea Vaya BRT and the arrival of the City Sightseeing Bus - Johannesburg’s first hop-on-hop-off tourist bus and hundreds of tour guides and transport companies operating in the private sector are aiding the positive perception of the city.

MAP BY OPENSTREETMAP CONTRIBUTORS - OPENSTREETMAP.ORG, CC BY-SA 2.0,

Transport Links

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Constitutional Court of South Africa

“Inaugurated in 2004, with its design based on the African concept of ‘justice under a tree’, the Constitutional Court is a very real symbol of modern South Africa. Incorporating some 150,000 bricks and the former stairwells of the Awaiting Trial Block that was demolished after the end of apartheid, the court houses a highly impressive contemporary art collection showcasing both local and international art.”

– Lonely Planet

Apartheid Museum

“Since its inception, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has kept South Africans and international visitors informed about the affects of apartheid, and the changes that were brought by the new dispensation.”

– www.apartheidmuseum.org

Constitution Hill

BY THE HERITAGE PORTAL - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0,

“Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.”

– www.constitutionhill.org.za

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PHOTO: ANDRÉ-PIERRE FROM STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA.

Landmark Attractions

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Ponte City

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“Nothing sums up the changing fortunes of inner-city Jo’burg better than Ponte City, which can be visited on tours with Dlala Nje. This 54-storey cylindrical skyscraper was hijacked in the late 1980s by squatters and rapidly declined into a vertical urban slum. Flash forward a couple of decades – the building’s owner, Kempston, has taken back control and refurbished the structure, which is now safe and home to an ethnically mixed community of working- and middle-class South Africans.”

- Lonely Planet

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“From the teak parquet floors and the zebra skin rug to the view of Johannesburg’s twinkling skyline, the house looks exactly as it did when Hubbard, the science fiction writer turned Church of Scientology founder, lived here with his family.”

– www.pri.org

Johannesburg Art Gallery

“Fenced off from the southern end of sketchy Joubert Park is this elegant Lutyens-designed gallery dating from 1915.

The JAG has one of the largest art collections in Africa; however, only a tiny fraction of it is ever on display and usually the gallery rooms that are open host temporary exhibitions. The entrance is just off Klein St.” – Lonely Planet

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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 676

ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com

+44 (0)1603 959 672

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