SOUTH AFRICA
The Business End
Sandton Convention Centre
S
andton Convention Centre (SCC) stands tall in Africa as a world-class eight-storey venue, featuring Afro-chic décor and 22,000 square metres of flexible multipurpose spaces and venues for any event, large or small. The venue is in the heart of Sandton, ideally located in Johannesburg’s vibrant financial and commercial hub, within walking distance of Sandton Sun hotel and its San Restaurant and popular sundowner spot, San Deck Bar & Restaurant. The InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers and Sandton City Garden Court, as well as upmarket shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment also situated in the same precinct. Every year, SCC is host to a wide range of international and local conferences, expos, confexes, summits, and other business and trade events, as well as an exciting array of consumer events, such as Arnold Classic Sport Festival, Design Joburg, Joy of Jazz, WineX, Whisky & Gin Live, and many more.
THE TOURIST TRADE is gathering increasing momentum as South Africa seeks to make the most out of its formidable attractions. In 2017, one in every 22 employed people in South Africa were working in the tourism sector, totalling 722,013 individuals, around 4.5 percent of the 16.2 million people making up the national workforce. The tourism sector contributed 2.8 percent (or R130 billion) to South Africa’s GDP in 2017, making it larger than the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. According to Statistics South Africa, in 2017 visitors sent over half a million rand every minute, amounting to R277 billion for the entire year, the split being 56 percent domestic spend and 44 percent international. 6 | Outlook Travel magazine
In terms of numbers arriving, 2018 saw 16.44 million visitors arrive in the country – this represents a steady rise over the past six years, the figure for 2012 being 14.16 million. The upward trajectory is set continue for the next few years according to the latest predictions from research organisation Statista, which forecasts some 19.6 million tourists to visit South Africa in 2023. Away from tourism, foreign trade is another key contributor to the nation’s income, with China, the USA, Germany and Namibia alone accounting for more than a quarter of exports. Key export products include precious metals, agricultural goods and military equipment, while South Africa’s major imports include chemicals and motor vehicles.
The elegant venue can host up to 10,0000 people at any one time in a variety of exhibition and conference venues. Every event can be tailormade to suit specific requirements, with an excellent range of services, amenities and facilities to cover all needs, whether for clients, organisers, exhibitors, or visitors. SCC is renowned for its food and beverage services and wide range of menu options designed to suit any occasion, event and dietary requirement, and all palates. SCC offers easy access to Gautrain Sandton Station, OR Tambo International Airport, and other key destinations, and is conveniently located for travellers to add leisure days onto their visits to explore the many tourism offerings in the city, Gauteng province, and the country.
T +27 (0)11 779 0000 E scc.reservations@tsogosun.com www.sandtonconventioncentre.com