Gauteng has demonstrated its leadership in hosting high-impact events over the spring and summer season by increasingly leveraging its strong business positioning to mainstream leisure tourism offerings.
Tourism and Heritage Month in September set the tone with major events such as the DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival attracting over 50 000 attendees collectively. Comic Con Africa alone brought in over 70 000 participants, making it one of Africa’s largest pop culture and gaming gatherings.
Sporting events like the Springboks versus New Zealand test match and the Red Bull Formula 1 Street Showdown in Sandton attracted over 20 000 spectators among a total of 490 000 event attendees in September. The economic impact was substantial, injecting R2.1 billion (€109 million) into Gauteng’s economy and increasing average visitor stay to 5.7 nights.
“These aren’t just numbers; they represent tangible benefits for our communities, entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Lebogang Maile, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development.
Transport and Pride Month in October celebrated the province’s inclusivity and connectivity. The Johannesburg Pride Parade and the return of M Fest at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit showcased Gauteng’s ability to host diverse and large-scale events.
Lifestyle and business events dominate end of year
November has further solidified Gauteng’s positioning as South Africa’s hub for lifestyle events. Key events included the African Bank Soweto Marathon, Soweto Investment Conference and Kunye Music Festival.
The Music & Lifestyle Expo and the Black Coffee Foundation Music Conference & Exhibition highlighted the province’s vibrant music industry. These events gathered industry leaders, artists and businesses to foster collaboration and innovation.
“Events like these strengthen Gauteng’s position as a leader in the creative economy, offering platforms for engagement and growth,” said Sthembiso Dlamini, Gauteng Tourism CEO.
Business events have also featured strongly. Gauteng hosted the AI Expo Africa, the World Association for Culture & Heritage Global Leadership Summit and the International Conference on Theory & Practice of Electronic Governance. These conferences attracted thousands of delegates, boosting bed night sales, tourism revenue and job creation.
“These events showcase Gauteng’s ability to provide world-class infrastructure, skilled professionals and seamless connectivity. They are a testament to our province’s expertise in hosting exceptional conventions and exhibitions,” said Dlamini.
The World Anthropological Congress, Rage Expo and other conferences are set to round off the year, ensuring sustained economic activity in this space.
Gauteng has leveraged several advantages that include proximity to major international airports, efficient transport systems like the Gautrain, high-quality venues, a skilled workforce and the presence of global corporate headquarters.
These attributes, combined with pleasant weather and a wide range of accommodation options, make the province a leading choice for business and lifestyle tourism.
