Durban’s International Convention Centre has again clinched the baton and has been voted Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2024. The Durban ICC also received this illustrious industry accolade last year when it was chosen the continent’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2023.
The iconic meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) venue which was opened by former President Nelson Mandela in 1997 has been crowned Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for at least 20 years in its 27-years of existence.
Between 2010 to 2018, the Durban ICC was crowned Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for nine years in a row before being placed after Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, which took first prize. Now the Durban ICC is again on a winning streak, taking top position for the second year in a row, a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence.
The World Travel Awards, known for its tradition of honouring travel excellence and industry leadership, has, for three decades, been recognising organisations that consistently elevate the standards of the global travel and tourism sector. The Durban ICC’s dedication to providing world-class services and facilities for meetings and conferences has made it a repeat recipient of this prestigious title.
Durban ICC Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Lindiwe Rakharebe expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are immensely proud and humbled to be named ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ in the 2024 World Travel Awards. This achievement reflects the tireless dedication of our team and our unwavering commitment to providing a world-class platform for meetings and events.
“The award is a testament to our exceptional team and the commitment of providing superior experiences to our clients and their delegates. This gives our team greater impetus to reach greater heights in a fiercely competitive market.”
The Durban ICC has consistently been a pioneer in the international meetings and events industry in South Africa. It has served as a catalyst for economic growth and a hub for global knowledge exchange. This prestigious recognition by the World Travel Awards underscores its pivotal role in elevating South Africa’s stature in the global travel and tourism landscape.
The Durban ICC extends its gratitude to all its clients, partners, board members and stakeholders who have played an integral part in this journey of excellence. The centre remains steadfast in its mission to provide exceptional services, inspire innovation, and contribute to the growth of South Africa’s meetings and events industry.
The Durban ICC has successfully staged some of the world’s most prestigious and complex events. It is a versatile venue of enormous dimensions, flexible enough to meet any need, no matter how extraordinary.
The Durban ICC was the venue for the largest (International AIDS Conference 2016 – attended by 22 000 delegates) and second largest (COP-17 in 2011 – attended by 15 000 delegates) conferences ever held on the African continent.
The 27th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) was hosted in May 2017 and attracted over a 1,000 delegates from over a hundred different countries, including several African leaders and an impressive list of global speakers. The Durban ICC also hosted the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2018 which was attended by approximately 8 000 delegates including tech SMEs, policy makers, investors, corporates and digital innovators. Most recently the Centre hosted the Forbes Woman Africa – Leading Women Summit 2019 which brought together influential women from across industries and professions.
Visit: icc.co.za
