Why Cape Town is one of the Best Tourist and Expat destinations in the world
There are some questions we always get asked: Why Cape Town? What do you like about the city? What were your reasons for choosing to live in South Africa?
Now that the world has noticed that South Africa is capable of hosting spectacular world events very successfully, more and more people are considering to travel or even live in one of the world's most beautiful cities: Cape Town.
And you might wonder: Why is South Africa's Mother City one of the firm favorites with tourists and expats?
Well, Cape Town has a big draw: Stunning scenery and great lifestyle. The easy pace of life and cosmopolitan mix of own culture attracts many people from around the world. The stunning scenery with the table mountain range, the white sandy beaches and not to forget the adjoining winelands also come up first when you ask anybody about what makes Cape Town so attractive.

Tourists and business travelers flock in droves to Cape Town for the last years and made this vibrant city one of the most favorite travel destinations in the world.
• In November 2008 the currently biggest survey of travel habits among 25,000 readers of the UK Daily and Sunday Telegraph voted Cape Town as one of the
favorite cities in the world.
• In 2010 Cape Town was again the Winner in the category
Africa's Leading Destination
at the World Travel Awards with the Westin Grand Cape Town was voted the best meetings and conference hotel in Africa in 2010.
• In 2010 the luxurious Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Resort in nearby Clanwilliam (3hrs drive from Cape Town) was voted the
Best Hotel in the World
by US Travel and Leisure Magazine, while three year back in 2007 the Mother City was named to be the 10th Best City in the World.
• In 2009 UK travelers voted Cape Town as the
8th best city in the world
in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine with South Africa being in 2010 the 8th most popular country with the greatest variety of attractions and coming even before Spain (9th) and Morocco (10th).
• In 2010 Cape Town’s International Conference Center (CTICC) was again a finalist in the category:
world's best overseas conference centers
in the M&IT (meetings & incentive travel) Industry Awards 2010 and is considered to be one of the top destinations for business travelers.
• National Geographic even added the Mother City to their listing of the "places of a lifetime" in 2008. What more you can ask for?
Really good reasons to consider Cape Town not only for your travel, but certainly also for your next move or expat assignment
But as an expatriate who will not only enjoy the sweet life of a tourist, you will have to deal with the facts of work in an African country and routine in a developing country.
So many questions regarding the quality of live of your expat destination will pop up.
If you are comforted by figures let me give you these convincing facts:
• In 2009 the newest Mercer Study put Cape Town on
87th place regarding the quality of life
for expatriates and their families put and so the Mother City lies ahead of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
• In 2006 Cape Town was even voted
one of the top 20 expat destinations worldwide
by fDi (Foreign Direct Investment).
My 10 best reasons why Cape Town is a great place for expat living
To tell you my reasons why Cape Town is one great destination for expats I had to make up my mind to limit the huge choice down to only ten good reasons. And trust me there are loads of more good reasons. Here the final choices I have come up with:
1. Beautiful scenery and
attractions
: mountains, winelands and great sandy beaches
2. Lifestyle is outdoors oriented, exciting
expats lifestyle
, great for walkers, hikers, surfers…and the whole family loves it
3. Mild
Mediterranean climate
with blue skies and lots of sunshine
4. Going out is affordable again, even for the big family. There is the
most delicious food
available in the amazing
Cape Town restaurants.
5.
Low cost of living
compared to many other expat destinations with
great housing options
(swimming pool, big gardens, sea view etc.) also at affordable prices
6. Big potential for business expansions in the emerging markets
7. Due to European influence the
business customs and etiquette
are similar
8. First class
health care
in the private sector
9.
Good school options
for the kids
10. Last but not least, the
South African people
are open and very caring and welcoming
Cape Town with kids?
Read here why children enjoy living or staying in the Mother City and
why Cape Town is so popular with families.
Do you want to know what to do with kids when in Cape Town?
Then find out what my
top 10 activities for children in Cape Town
and what cool activities await the teenagers in the Mother City. Go to
teenager activities in Cape Town
here.
And there are many more great
free activities in Cape Town
you should check out too.
Have fun exploring!
Any questions or suggestions for this "Why Cape Town" page or any other expat related issues? Please feel free to
contact me:-)
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