2023 was the best performer in terms of events in the City of Cape Town, since before the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a city media release, its coffers received an economic boost of nearly R4-billion, just from events, held last year.
2023 was the best performer in terms of events
Safety and Security Mayco Member, JP Smith says the top 20 events in 2023, created over 26 000 jobs for people in the greater events ecosystem. This included security, catering, logistics, production and transportation among others.
Best performer in terms of events
Some of the big events were
– Africa’s first Netball World Cup
– ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
– 1st Formula E race in Sub-Saharan Africa
– Loeries Creative Week
– Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Street Parade
The City’s Event Permit Office issued more than 1 200 permits last year.
‘Event organisers have worked hard over the last 15 months with support from the City’s Events Department to get the events back in the direction we were headed before the pandemic. We would like to salute all involved for their hard work,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.
READ MORE: Another feather in Cape Town’s cap
The top 40 events of 2023 also saw more than 1.3 million attendees or participants. The City itself supported more than 170 events during the period.
More than 1 200 permits were issued
According to the city, research studies on 3 key events which took place during the mentioned period revealed a substantial R2 billion economic impact.
This holistic impact on the economy includes direct and indirect economic impact, and destination marketing, among others.
Economic spin-offs from events
A further R1,9 billion in economic activity was generated by just 20 of the events hosted in the calendar year. This is the actual direct spend by event attendees, participants and event organisers in Cape Town.
In addition, over 1,3 million people attended or participated in the top 40 events in 2023.
Premier tourism destination
“The importance of these economic spin-offs from events cannot be overstated. We have seen over the last couple of years how events can become catalysts for growth for other sectors in the value chain, including accommodation and food, travel, local retail and tourism attractions here in Cape Town.”
READ MORE: Apply for an event permit
“We have also seen that an overwhelming majority of event organisers use local suppliers for logistics, equipment rental, security, production, staffing and hospitality. Additionally, hosting several local and international events has helped tremendously in promoting Cape Town as a premier tourism destination to a global audience,” said Smith.
From major international sporting events, top-tier music concerts, cultural masterpieces and an abundance of lifestyle events, Cape Town had it all in 2023.
