Western Cape Events Generate More than R1 Billion for Provincial Economy

Major events hosted in the Western Cape generated R1.3 billion for the provincial economy in the previous financial year.

Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, said this was estimated economic impact of 19 large-scale events which attracted 196 600 tourists in the 2012/13 financial year.

Minister Winde was discussing the strength of the province’s events economy at Wesgro's Annual General Meeting this month.

Wesgro is the province’s official destination marketing, investment and trade promotion agency.

Minister Winde said the events were spread across the province and included the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, the ABSA Cape Epic, the Vodacom Funny Festival and the Kynsna Oyster Festival.

"The list of events reflects the diversity of the province's offering. There are quite a few held during the traditional off-peak season, which is in line with the efforts to ensure the Western Cape is an all-year round destination," said Minster Winde.

The figures are contained in Wesgro’s latest annual report: 

“The Western Cape is already a top leisure destination for overseas and local visitors. Now we must give travellers more reasons to visit our province. We have proven ourselves capable of hosting world-class events and this is a definite focus area for our tourism industry. Through continued collaboration with our tourism industry partners, I am confident we will see events making an even bigger contribution to our economy,” said Minister Winde.