Chris van Gass

Cape Correspondent

CAPE TOWN — Cape Town International Convention Centre, already hailed as the best convention destination in Africa, has surpassed expectations by hosting 50 more events and drawing 70000 more visitors in the past year compared with its first year of operation.

Centre MD Dirk Elzinga said the centre was five years ahead of budget with occupancy of exhibitions halls standing at 42%, compared with 34,9% the previous year. International practice showed an occupancy rate of 55% to 60% "was about the maximum achievable".

An announcement is expected within days from Convenco, the centre’s holding company, to develop and extend the exhibition area by adding on a property next to the centre.

Negotiations are under way between the centre, provincial government and the public works department to acquire Customs House, a nearby government building, to meet the demand of 10000m² of additional space. Conveco acting chairman Denis Skeate said this could take "a few years" to finalise.