BestCities.net has added two new partners, boosting representation within the alliance of convention bureaux to seven destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Cape Town, South Africa, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, have successfully applied to join the alliance, which offers guaranteed service standards to international association meeting planners. Both bureaux will adhere to the BestCities Meeting Planner Service Commitment and the BestCities.net Service Charter.

The new partners were introduced just prior to the 6th ICCA Congress & Exhibition in Copenhagen, providing a powerful endorsement of the achievements of the five founding members - Boston, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Melbourne and Vancouver in this unique venture.

BestCities.net Chairman Paul Vallee, of Tourism Vancouver, noted that the introduction of Cape Town and Dubai to the BestCities.net family would add strength and depth to the service offered by the alliance to meeting planners.

"Our new partners have demonstrated their commitment to deliver the 35 service standards that distinguish BestCities.net partners from other destinations. We're excited, not only for our alliance, but for our customers in the global meetings industry who can now work seamlessly with seven destinations who provide above average service," said Vallee.

Rick Taylor, the Chief Executive of the Cape Town Convention Bureaux said: "Cape Town is thrilled to be a new partner - and the only city in Africa - to be included in the BestCities.net global alliance. I've joined the alliance because we wanted to benchmark our own convention bureau's performance against the very best in the world."

In the evaluation process Cape Town scored highly on destination appeal and environmental reputation, as well the bureau's service level, all of them assets that are compatible with the reputation of Boston, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Melbourne and Vancouver.

Awadh Al Seghayer, Chief Executive of the Dubai Convention Bureau, said "We are pleased to be part of this prestigious global alliance of convention bureaux, delivering the world's best service experience to meeting planners - Dubai stands to profit immensely from the inputs and ideas of all the partner cities and their international association clients in measuring up to the high client service standards we employ".

The evaluation of Dubai highlighted its tremendous new facilities, commitment to the marketplace and exceptional service qualities. Dubai’s strategic position in the Middle East is regarded as a significant benefit for the alliance.

Both cities will join the BestCities.net in 2003 and remain in membership for an initial period of three years.