The City of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands District Municipality have been successful in their joint bid to host the next Annual General Meeting of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network in 2008.
It is the second time the Mother City will host the prestigious event, which will take place at various venues across Cape Town and the Winelands in November next year.
The Great Wines Capitals Global Network (GWCGN) is an international body which encompasses eight large economic hubs, centred around the capitals of each wine producing region.
Each city is in close proximity to major and internationally-known grape growing and winemaking areas.
The cities are Cape Town; Melbourne in Australia; Bordeaux in France; Napa Valley, San Francisco in the USA; Porto in Portugal; Bilboa-Rioja in Spain; Florence in Italy; and Mendoza in Argentina.
The aim of the network is to encourage economic, academic and cultural development in each of the cities through exchanges and joint projects in the area of wine tourism.
The two South African municipalities signed a partnership agreement in August 2004 to enhance the City’s participation in the network.
Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille said: “We value this agreement as the Cape Winelands is a key part of Cape Town’s tourism trade. In addition, all wines produced for export in this region are transported through the City’s harbours.”
She added: “The AGM will bring wine experts from all the participating regions to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester and Robertson and offer a platform to showcase the local wine industry and promote the Cape Metropole and surrounding Winelands.”
Councillor Clarence Johnson, the Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, said the partnership between Cape Town and the Cape Winelands will benefit tourism.
“Cape Town and Cape Winelands are rated as leaders in the field of wine tourism,” he explained. “Our joint hosting of the event will further enhance our international stature and promote further interest in our region as a preferred wine producing and wine tourism destination.”
Source: SouthAfrica.info
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