Durban is the country's only city with its own City Metro Police in addition to the national police force. Security is enhanced by sophisticated technology, including surveillance cameras for incident-free events.

The City of Durban is one of South Africa's fastest growing urban areas with a population of 3,7 million people. A previous winner of the United Nations Award for Best Managed City in Africa (1998), Ethekweni Municipality maintains effective control of the City's resources while steering its progress.

The local authorities are geared towards international conferences and go to great lengths to ensure their success. Your conference city also goes the extra mile - from erecting welcoming banners to closing off roads enabling you to include street and beach parties in your programme.

Handling more than 5000 commercial vessels per year, the Port of Durban is the biggest (and busiest) in Africa. Two thirds of the country's container trade is shipped to or from the Durban harbour, providing employment for 100 000 people.

In addition to commercial trade, ocean cruise liners are a common sight in the Port of Durban. South Africa's second largest industrial area is also situated in Durban and is strategically supported by the city's sophisticated transport (road, rail and air) and communication infrastructure.

The Durban International Airport is situated within 20 minutes of the International Convention Centre, the City's Central Business District (CBD) and beachfront hotels. A sophisticated road network serves Durban and transport is fast and reliable.

Quality accommodation is available throughout the city and surrounding areas. From luxurious five-star establishments to comfortable guest houses and affordable self-catering apartments, a wide variety is available to suit personal preference and pocket.

Visitors come to Durban for one reason, but stay for a hundred. Delegates and accompanying persons are spoilt for choice.

In addition to the magical theme evenings arranged for delegates (a beach party or a banquet in the bush!) tremendous opportunities exist for visitors to explore the city and surrounding areas.

Abseiling, microliting, surfing, mountain climbing, paragliding, scuba-diving, sky-diving, yachting, white water rafting - for beginners and experienced sportsmen alike - are co-ordinated and supervised by professionals.

Click here to visit the UShaka Marine World web site.

The 16 hectare fresh water and seawater theme park will include the following:

Five distinct themed areas known as Treasure World, Sea World and Dolphin World, Beach World and Wet 'n Wild World.

Attractions will include dolphin and seal stadia, a penguin habitat and a snorkelling lagoon stocked with coral fish, separated from the shark tank by 20cm thick glass.  The shark tank itself will house the largest collection of sharks in the Southern Hemisphere. Wet 'n Wild World will include a water park with fun rides, a river ride that snakes through a free entrance replica of a 1940 cargo shipwreck with a plethora of restaurants and a lagoon with sandy shores and grass banks.

The only one of its kind in the world, the Natal Sharks Board researches one of the ocean's most controversial predators. Responsible for monitoring shark activity on our coastline, the Natal Sharks Board is open to the public for audio-visual presentations and shark dissections. The more adventurous wanting first hand experience of their research, can take an early morning boat trip out to sea and may even catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins.

Durban's Golden Mile is famous for its sun-drenched beaches which attract millions of holiday makers all year round. Beaches here are endless...the sea temperature warmed by the Agulhas current seldom drops below 20°Celcius (68°F).

Just north of Durban, the Dolphin Coast is home to the friendly bottle-nosed dolphin, whose presence is visible all year round. This area is famous for its golden beaches, sheltered coves and day and night entertainment.

Durban is a bird lovers' paradise. The Umgeni River Bird Park is a world class facility with a free-flight bird show that is unique in Africa. Bird watchers will also enjoy the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve and the Bluff Nature Reserve, situated just south of the city.

A number of crocodile parks provide opportunities for safe, close up encounters with these magnificent reptiles and an insight into their habitat and behaviour. The Fitzsimmons Snake Park on the beachfront houses some of South Africa's most dangerous snakes, including green and black mambas, Gaboon adders and puff adders.

The Playhouse Entertainment Complex takes centre stage opposite the Durban City Hall in the Central Business District. It has a proud history and an exciting future showcasing dance, opera, drama, music and cabaret. Visitors are encouraged to experience first hand the passion and talent which drives South African theatre.

Supper theatre is very popular and available at numerous venues.

With our tropical climate Durban's parks and gardens display a colourful variety of indigenous and exotic flora and fauna.

Established in 1849, the Durban Botanical Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in Africa. Famed for its magnificent orchid house, it also offers a tranquil lake setting, abundant bird life and relaxing outdoor tea garden.

At the top of Florida Road with its fine examples of Victorian architecture are Mitchell and Jameson Parks. Apart from beautiful flowers, Mitchell Park features a garden restaurant and children's park, and the city's only zoo. Opposite is Jameson Park with its glorious rose garden.

A peaceful retreat for weary travellers lies just minutes away from the city centre in eight hectares of authentic Japanese Gardens.

History comes to life in the City's museums, which portray different aspects of life in Durban from Apartheid, architectural and nautical history, to famous personalities and fashion. Visit the Old Court House Museum, the KwaMuhle Museum, the Port Natal Maritime Museum or the Old House Museum for a closer look at Durban's past.

Durban is a colourful weave of cultures and religions. Traditional African beliefs exist alongside Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions. The gilded splendour of the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere - the Grey Street mosque - contrasts with the brick and stone of the nearby Catholic Cathedral.

In Chatsworth, South Africa's busiest Indian residential area, is the Temple of Understanding - South Africa's most spectacular Hindu temple.

The three gold and white domes rising above the dazzling octagonal steel roof depict three distinct moods - traditional, contemporary and futuristic.

Regular township tours around Durban enable visitors to experience how the vast majority of Durban's population lives. Tours cover history, housing, education, health, transport and the formal and informal sectors. Visitors are entertained at Shebeens and taverns and encouraged to get to know the local customs.

Durban's buzz comes from a combination of first world sophistication and Africa's entrepreneurial spirit. Fleamarkets provide the perfect opportunity to discover that unusual gift or special trinket. Many of the goods are hand crafted by local artists.

African crafts, including unique Zulu beadwork, have become world class exports. Buy them at the market on the beachfront or for a wider selection - from African art shops, such as the Bat Centre on Victoria Embankment.

Durban's vibrant Warwick Junction, which includes the largest herb market in the southern hemisphere, offers an authentic encounter with Africa's market traders and traditional healers. The streets and pavements transform themselves into informal shopping malls where bead and basket sellers ply their trade alongside the traditional herbalists, known as 'inyanga'.

The Victoria Street Market is an Asian emporium offering the largest collection of spices, silks and brassware outside of India.

At the other end of the spectrum are the airconditioned malls where quality food and fashion stores are combined with a wide variety of entertainment to provide a world class shopping experience.

The Durban Pavilion and Musgrave Centre are two of Durban's most popular upmarket shopping complexes, while the new Gateway Shopping Centre in Umhlanga, north of Durban, is setting new standards in shopping entertainment. Gateway is 110 000m2 of pure pleasure - from retail stores and restaurants to cinemas, games arcades, an Imax theatre and the centre's Xplore area featuring the world's highest climbing wall, a Waveloch with a 2 metre wave for the brave, and a world class skate park.

The cuisine is as varied as the shopping from fast food outlets and roadside vendors offering everything - including the bunny chow - a half loaf of bread crammed with curry - through sushi bars, pavement cafes, friendly pubs to the traditional South African "braai" or barbeque.

A full spectrum of attractions: hotels, restaurants, shops, cinemas, live entertainment as well as the beach, are just minutes away from ICC Durban - making it the ultimate in conference convenience.

The City's Convention and Visitors Bureau provides helpful advice and information on everything from accommodation, transport, attractions and tours, to car hire and health services, helping you plan your conference down to the last detail.