Tuesday 19 September 2017
Cape Town has a longstanding reputation as a top leisure tourism destination, but South Africa's Mother City is also gaining global recognition as a premier place to meet, train and do business.
In fact, Cape Town was ranked best business tourism destination in Africa by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) earlier this year. It means the city is now part of the top 40 list of destinations for business tourism in the world.
IASeminars has included Cape Town on its list of cities to host international accounting seminars and other financial training events since 2016. Cape Town's first class facilities, services and accommodation are all part of the reason why it's been selected alongside the likes of London, New York City, Miami and Singapore.
For IASeminars' clients in Africa and the Middle East, it's the ideal training destination, as many countries are not required to obtain visas for entering South Africa and return flights are significantly shorter and less expensive than a round trip to Europe or the United States. Furthermore, a favourable exchange rate makes training more affordable and means delegates can enjoy many world-class attractions and activities for much less than expected.
It won't take anyone long to discover that Cape Town's coastline is studded with pristine white-sand beaches, that the Cape Winelands produce award-winning wines or that the city has plenty of diverse and trendy eateries, bars, shops, pubs and clubs which cater for every palate and preference.
The Mother City's most prominent and world-renowned landmark, Table Mountain,has attracted more than 25-million visitors since its opening in 1929. A short cable car trip takes visitors to the top to marvel at the view 1 089 metres above the city. The summit can also be explored via hiking trails. Table Mountain is part of a World Heritage Site and home to thousands of plant species, of which about 80 percent is a unique plant diversity known as fynbos.
Against the slopes of the mountain lies KirstenboschNational BotanicalGarden, well-known for its beauty and diversity. The 36-hectare garden is part of a 528-hectare estate and showcases only indigenous South African plants.
True nature lovers will not miss a trip to Cape Point, a nature reserve at the tip of the Cape Peninsula (marking the south-westerly tip of Africa), about 60 kilometres south-west of Cape Town. This Natural World Heritage Site offers spectacular scenic beauty, as well as a rich maritime history.
A day trip can also include a visit to the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach near False Bay where visitors can see between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins up close in their natural habitat.
But its natural beauty is not the only thing defining Cape Town.
Robben Island and its famous prison where Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president, spent 18 years (of 27 years) behind bars is a must-do experience. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in history, and visitors will learn first-hand about the country's troubled past from former political prisoners.
The impact of apartheid on South Africa and its people is also evident from a visit to the District Six Museum. A multimedia exhibition tells how a community was destroyed and their homes demolished after the area was declared a "white group area."
The vibrant Bo-Kaap with its brightly coloured houses and narrow cobbled streets is another favourite amongst tourists. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter the area was established by the descendants of slaves captured in the 17th and 18th century and enslaved by the Dutch-East Indian Trading Company.
Finally, for a modern shopping experience, there's no need to look any further than the V&A Waterfront. It's the country's most visited destination, attracting 24 million visitors each year to its many shops, food markets, restaurants and leisure activities.
IASeminars is hosting three training events in Cape Town this October and November. With summer in full swing, delegates will get to experience the best the city has to offer. Book now for:
19-20 October 2017
13-17 November 2017
20-24 November 2017