Joburg needs to 'get its act together' for the G20 summit

Cape Town's tourism industry is booming, and it doesn't need the Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in 2025 as much as Johannesburg does.

- Suren Naidoo

That's the view of Marcel von Aulock, the group CEO of Southern Sun - South Africa's biggest hotel owner and operator.

He was commenting on the national government's decision to host the big event in Sandton this time next year.

Speaking during the group's half-year results presentation to analysts last Thursday, he said the G20 event will be a huge positive for SA on the scale of a "mini-World Cup" in terms of international exposure and media coverage.

"I am glad it's going to be hosted in Joburg. Cape Town doesn't need it.

"It doesn't need conferencing and tourism business during this time of year, because it's booming," Von Aulock said.