Minister Alan Winde Welcomes Cape Town International Jazz Festival Fans

More than 35 000 jazz enthusiasts from across the world will be in the city this weekend for the 15^th annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, welcomed the festival fans to the Western Cape. The event takes place on 28 March and 29 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

“According to an academic report released last year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival contributed R522 million to the Western Cape economy in 2013. In addition, 2 721 jobs were created,” said Minister Winde.

Last year 37 000 people attended the festival. The majority of these were visitors from outside the Western Cape, offering a boost for the local tourism industry.

As one of province’s premier events, the Western Cape’s official destination marketing, investment and trade promotion agency, Wesgro, contributes R300 000 to the festival.

“The Cape Town International Jazz Festival shows us the significant impact of the events economy. In the previous financial year, events generated R1.3 billion and attracted 196 600 tourists to our province. Events showcase the diversity of the region. They are spread across the year and can be effectively leveraged to counter seasonality,” said Minister Winde.