Cape Town Moves On Ambitious Airport, Conv. Ctr. Projects

Development is underway in the southern tip of South Africa, where Cape Town is investing significantly in the growth of its international airport as well as its state-of-the-art convention center, to open this summer.

At Cape Town International Airport, construction projects include the installation of two air bridges at the International Terminal linking the mezzanine level with parked aircraft on the ramp, as well as further upgrades to the domestic terminals. The airport in January completed an additional checkin area, including security and passport control facilities, and this past fall opened a new departures holding area in the newly built International Departures Terminal.

Airport officials project the number of passengers at Cape Town will increase to 6.5 million by 2004, from 4.8 million in 2001, and to 14 million by 2015. In preparation for this growth, the airport is undertaking several ambitious projects, including remote parking facilities alongside satellite terminal buildings that will be linked to the main complex by an underground passage equipped with moving walkways.

Meanwhile, the new Cape Town International Convention Centre is expected to open in August, with an adjacent 483-room Sheraton to open in May.

Managing director Dirk Elzinga said the facility aims to host 350 events next year, with almost 50 already booked by the international market for trade fairs and exhibitions. The 300 remaining events are aimed at the local market.

"The CTICC offers flexibility, especially in the ability to handle multiple events with ease and without any inconvenience to the different clients in the center at any particular time," he said. "Our price settings have been kept at a comparable level to those of other meeting venues, such as hotels, private halls and clubs in South Africa."

The convention center is billed as a multi-role function space that can host a broad mix of events, including conferences, banquets, product launches, corporate and incentive meetings. The ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Cape Town will be integrated with the CTICC, according to Arabella South Africa CEO Stefan Braun, who said the property will offer standard rooms and luxury suites.