Independent survey rates Cape Town tops

Other categories where the BestCities members scored the same on average was in quality of the bid materials provided, overall experience of working with the Convention Bureau and assistance with the bid documentation. Cape Town's score in each of these categories were 9.86, 9.43 and 9.57 respectively.

Global partnership

BestCities is a global partnership comprising Edinburgh, Dubai, Singapore, Cape Town, Vancouver, Melbourne, San Juan and Copenhagen, who have all complied with 34 rigorous service standards, audited by Lloyd's every year.

Current BCGA president, Ana Maria Viscasillas (CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau) says she was delighted with the results, "Our members are all committed to providing the world's best service standards to our clients. In addition to the annual independent audit we also want to measure clients' attitudes and feedback on their total experience with our partners."

The survey conducted by Lynn Jones Research, a UK-based independent market research agency specialising in tourism and hospitality, measured convention planning services, delegate boosting and marketing support, on- site event service and post event support.

Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited said, "We have been a member of alliance since 2004 and these results prove that Cape Town is a world leader in delivering outstanding outcomes for convention clients."

"Since 2007, Cape Town has secured a total of 50 association conferences with an estimated economic impact of R685 million, making the city the number one conference destination in Africa and the Middle East. These findings are further testament to the professionalism of the business tourism industry in Cape Town," adds David Frandsen, executive manager International Marketing and the Cape Town Convention Bureau.