The World Economic Forum has proved a boon for Cape Town hoteliers for whom the onset of winter usually means a decline in occupancies.

Jörg Böckeler, chief executive and area manager of Arabella South Africa Holding, says not only are the 483-rooms at the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel all occupied, but the hotel has also hosted events such as the World Economic Forum dinner, attended by President Mbeki and other world leaders.

But he says the city will continue to benefit significantly from the WEF long after the last delegates fly home.

"Besides the fact that the WEF has brought considerable numbers of influential overseas visitors to Cape Town, it has also helped showcase the city internationally. For example, the CNBC show, Global Players, was broadcast live from top floor of the hotel, which provides views over Cape Town stretching from Robben Island to Table Mountain. Such global publicity is invaluable for both the city and the country, particularly in the run up to the 2010 World Cup. "

Böckeler says that while the CTICC is able to attract international visitors by bringing convention traffic to Cape Town outside of the traditional summer peak tourism season, tourism agencies need to capitalise this by ensuring delegates are exposed to all the city and region have to offer.