The Century City Conference Centre has made history after becoming the first conference centre in Africa and the southern hemisphere to receive the internationally recognised Green Key certificate for environmental responsibility and sustainable tourism operations.
The milestone was marked during an official handover ceremony attended by James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, who praised the venue’s commitment to sustainability.
Green Key certification is administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education and is recognised globally by bodies including the UN Tourism, the United Nations Environment Programme and UNESCO.
“This recognition shows that Cape Town venues are setting the green standard for practices that centre on sustainability,” said Vos.
“In a world and city that continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, it is pivotal that all businesses and industries prioritise sustainability.”
He added that the conference centre has consistently demonstrated environmentally responsible practices, having previously earned a 4-Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa and winning the Sustainable Venue of the Year (Africa) award at the Global MICE Awards in 2019.
Chief Executive Officer Gary Koetser said the achievement reflects years of focused effort by the venue’s team.
“For our team, the Green Key certificate together with a 100% audit score is a recognition of consistency and discipline,” he said.
“Being the first conference centre in Africa and the southern hemisphere to achieve this certificate matters, but what matters more is that it proves Cape Town venues can lead globally and set global benchmarks.”
The recognition comes as Cape Town continues to grow its reputation as a leading global business events destination. According to the International Congress and Convention Association’s GlobeWatch 2024 Business Analytics Report, the city ranks among the top 10 worldwide for average attendance per event, with about 717 delegates per meeting.
The report also noted an increase in international association meetings hosted in Cape Town, rising from 42 in 2023 to 58 in 2024.
Vos said business tourism remains a major driver of economic growth for the city.
“Foundational to our destination development strategy is to make Cape Town the go-to city in the world for events and conferences,” he said.
“Through partnerships with the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau, we are attracting major conferences that will bring thousands of delegates and significant economic benefits to the region in the coming years.”
