In a landmark achievement for African tourism, the Century City Conference Centre (CCCC) has officially become the first conference venue in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded the prestigious Green Key certification. The announcement, made today during an official handover ceremony, marks a historic shift in how the continent approaches sustainable luxury and business events.
The certification isn’t just a win for the venue; it’s a massive boost for Cape Town’s reputation as a world-leading destination. With a flawless 100% audit score, the CCCC has proven that high-end hospitality and environmental preservation can—and must—go hand-in-hand.
Why the Century City Conference Centre Won
Administered locally by WESSA and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Green Key is the leading standard of excellence in environmental responsibility. The CCCC was lauded for its “consistency and discipline” in several key operational categories.
The venue’s sustainability track record is already extensive, including:
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4-Star Green Star Rating: Awarded by the Green Building Council of South Africa.
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Global Recognition: Previously named Sustainable Venue of the Year (Africa) at the 2019 Global MICE Awards.
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Perfect Audit: The 100% score validates the venue’s rigorous environmental management, from energy efficiency to waste reduction.
“For our team, the Green Key certificate together with a 100% audit score is a recognition of consistency and discipline,” said Gary Koetser, CEO of Century City Conference Centre and Hotels. “It proves Cape Town venues can lead globally and set global benchmarks.”
A Magnet for International Tourism
This milestone comes as Cape Town continues to dominate international business event rankings. According to the ICCA GlobeWatch 2024 Report, the city is now among the top 10 cities worldwide for average attendance per event, drawing approximately 717 delegates per meeting.
The data shows a significant surge in growth:
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Meeting Volume: International association meetings in Cape Town rose from 42 in 2023 to 58 in 2024.
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Global Ranking: The city has climbed 15 places to 35th in the world for international association meetings.
Economic Impact: R745 Million Boost
Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, emphasized that these “future-fit” facilities are central to the City’s economic strategy. “Business tourism remains a key pillar of our economic growth strategy,” Vos stated.
The City’s Convention Bureau has already secured 36 new conference bids for the 2024/25 financial year. These events are projected to generate an economic impact of R745 million and bring more than 27,000 delegates to the city through 2028.
Leading the Global Green Standard
As global organizations increasingly prioritize sustainability when choosing event locations, Century City’s new certification ensures Cape Town remains a “go-to” destination. By meeting the strict standards recognized by UNESCO and the UN Environment Programme, the CCCC has officially put South Africa at the forefront of the global green revolution in tourism.
