General Information
Congress Venue
Radisson Blu
Beach Road
Granger Bay
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 441 3000
Fax: +27 (0) 21 441 3560
Web: http://www.radissonblu.com
Dates
2-4 August 2010 – Conference
5-6 August 2010 - Workshop
Language
The official language of the Congress is English.
Visas
All delegates are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visas for entry to South Africa. Please be advised that all visitors to South Africa are required to have one full empty page in their passport. If you do not have one full empty page in your passport you will be denied entry. We highly recommend that all visitors contact their local South African High Commission or Embassy to receive further details about visa regulations.
Insurance
The Congress organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss or damage of property belonging to Congress participants (or their accompanying persons), either during, or as a result of the Congress. Delegates and their accompanying guests are strongly advised to purchase adequate travel insurance for the duration of their travel, the Congress and tours.
Letter of Invitation
The organizers will be pleased to provide a letter of invitation to any pre-registered and prepaid participant requesting one. Please note that such an invitation is intended to help potential participants raise travel funds or obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the Congress to provide any financial support.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign Exchange is readily available from bank branches, including at the airport and kiosks in all major shopping centres. Cape Town has a good network of ATM's making it easy to withdraw money from international bank accounts using Cirrus, VISA or Maestro cards.
For safety reasons, it is advisable not to carry large quantities of cash. Major international credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express) are widely accepted.
Gratuities
Tipping is common practice in South Africa. Service charge is usually not included at restaurants, and a 10-15% tip is considered standard. It is also customary to tip Tour Guides and rangers R100 per day (total). Porters (per bag), car guards and petrol pump attendants are generally tipped between R2 - R5.
Standard Time
Standard Time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States Eastern Standard Time throughout the year.
Weather
Winters in Cape Town are from May to August and are usually relatively cool and wet, with temperatures during the day reaching no higher than 18ºC / 64ºF. You're more than likely to need an umbrella if you're staying for any length of time. It's also worth noting that temperatures during the night can feel on the cold side, falling to an average of 7ºC / 44ºF. However, at this time of the year, Cape Town is free of the crowds of visitors that arrive during the summer and the city is wonderfully green.
Health Information
International immunisation is NOT needed when travelling to South Africa.
The Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is the only vaccination needed from travellers, whom are over the age of one, entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country. Visitors who travel through or stay over in these areas, are advised to be vaccinated against the disease before travelling to South Africa.
Malaria is, for the most part, under control in South Africa.
The only regions being affected with Malaria are:
Northern Province
Mpumalanga,
Northern Natal
Zululand
The risk of being infected with malaria is minimal when taking preventative medication. Malaria tablets are only needed when travelling to one of the above-mentioned areas, and not when travelling to Cape Town or along the Garden Route. A good insect repellent (particularly in the evening), long-sleeved shirts, and mosquito coils/nets are advisable precautions. The best tip is to get advice from your doctor. In general you will need the same precautions and vaccinations in South Africa as you would need in your home country.
Electricity
220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.
Crime
Do not walk alone after dark in unpopulated streets or draw attention to money or jewelry. A tourist police assistance unit is located in Tulbagh Square (021 - 4182852/3) which is open 7 days a week from 11 am until 11 pm (Sunday 9am - 9pm). The main charge office in Cape Town is open 24 hours (021 - 4678000). The emergency police number is 10111.