A SURVEY determining the exact impact the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (30-31 March 2007) has on the Western Cape’s tourism industry kicks off today. The survey, conducted by a consortium of Western Cape universities and commissioned by Cape Town Routes Unlimited, will look specifically at how many people visit the city and province over this period, where they come from and how much they spend. The survey’s results are expected by mid April.

"Events like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival act as catalysts for growth, development and upliftment. They not only manage to boost tourism figures, but also contribute to the local economy of smaller tourism destinations and ensure that the larger region shares in the benefits of the industry. This is why we have decided to do this in-depth survey: to determine the Jazz Festival’s precise impact, and see how we could fine-tune our tourism marketing around the event," says Calvyn Gilfellan, acting CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the official tourism destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a well established brand on the international jazz circuit and together with the Western Cape’s other unique lifestyle events, it boosts Cape Town’s reputation as a premier destination for major international events. Its economic and media impact is almost R80 million, and the Festival annually creates more than 250 temporary jobs.

"The slick, effective and professional way in which Cape Town manages to, year after year, successfully organise the Jazz Festival and other events shows that the city is more than just a pretty face, but has what it takes to ensure that events of this magnitude runs smoothly, safely and with the minimum hiccup. This illustrates our destination’s readiness, willingness and most importantly, our ability to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, " says Gilfellan.

The Jazz Festival is also a nurturing ground for young and upcoming talent, giving local musicians and technical staff the opportunity to share stages and operation areas with world famous jazz virtuosi. In this way it helps to address some of the social inequalities that challenge Cape Town.

"The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a meeting place. From the everyday jazz lover to the national government minister to the blue-chip company CEO, jazz is the language everybody speaks and the passion everybody shares. Most importantly, it reminds us to play, and to celebrate the rhythm and vibe of Cape Town and the Western Cape," says Gilfellan.

"Approximately 70% of Cape Town International Jazz Festival goers are from outside our province. This gives us, as Capetonians and residents of the Western Cape, the perfect opportunity to welcome approximately 20 000 international and domestic visitors to our shores, give them a taste of local life, and blow them away with our eclectic mix of cultures and sounds, inspiring them to return for more," he says.

Media enquiries: Riana Geldenhuys at 082 460 5554

Some current and upcoming Cape Town and Western Cape events:

Cape Epic Mountain Bike 2007
Date: 24 - 31 March 2007
Venue: Knysna to Cape Town
Tel: 021 426 4373
Email: info@cape-epic.com
Website: www.cape-epic.com

Trans CAPE - Art Exhibition
Date: 24 March - 2 May 2007
Venue: Cape Town
Tel: 021 488 3064
Email: info@capefarica.org
Website: www.capeafrica.org

Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Date: 30 March - 31 March 2007
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Tel: 021 422 5651
Email: espinfo@espafrika.com
Website: www.capetownjazzfest.com

Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK)
Date: 31 March - 8 April 2007
Venue: Oudtshoorn
Tel: 044 203 8600
Email: info@kknk.co.za
Website: www.kknk.co.za

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo
Date: 4 - 6 April 2007
Venue: Good Hope Centre, Cape Town
Tel: 021 438 2595
Email: info@eddycassarpr.co.za
Website: www.twooceansexpo.co.za

SA Cheese Festival
Date: 27 - 30 April 2007
Venue: Bien Donné, Franschhoek
Tel: 021 975 4440/1/2/3
Email: cheese@agriexpo.co.za
Website: www.cheesefestival.co.za

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