The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, as the venue continues to grow in significance to tourism in South Africa.

The venue has become a central player in the domestic MICE market over the past two decades.

“The invaluable support of clients and stakeholders who have been instrumental in the many milestones of the centre and its on-going success during the past two decades has not gone unnoticed,” said Lindiwe Rakharebe, Durban ICC chief executive.

Operation Jumpstart launched the Durban ICC project in 1992 with a goal to build a modern multipurpose convention centre.

Now, it has the capacity to host 22 000 people at one gathering.

The complex offers the largest flat floor, column-free multi-purpose event space in Africa.

Incorporating the Durban International Convention Centre, the Durban ICC Arena and Durban Exhibition Centre, the complex offers over 112,000 square meters of flexible exhibition and meeting space.

Since the official opening of the Durban ICC by former South African president Nelson Mandela in 1997, it has hosted many events.

These include the fourth annual BRICS International Competition Conference, the World Forestry Congress, the Africa Peace Awards and more.

Built at a cost of R746 million, it has generated R30billion for the national economy over the past two decades.

Preparations are underway for the Durban ICC to host its 20th anniversary gala dinner on Friday August 25th, which promises to be an unforgettable guest experience in keeping with the centre’s relentless commitment to innovation and service excellence.

In 2018, the venue will place host the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony, having taken the title of Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the past 15 years.

Indaba

Earlier this year, Durban International Conference Centre was also confirmed as the host of the Indaba trade show for the next five years.

Rakharebe noted: “We are thrilled, honoured and proud to be the host venue for Indaba for the next five years.

“Having been home to the top travel show in Africa since 1992, it is wonderful news that we will remain its host for the next five years at least.

“Indaba is one of the highlights of our year and is the ideal showcase of the amazing tourism offerings available in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, not to mention that the event is also the premier platform to discuss the growth and development of our tourism industry in the years ahead.”

Renowned as one of the top three travel events in the world, the event is expected to generate an estimated R500 million in economic impact for the city of Durban over the next five years.