Dear friends and colleagues
We are just days away from the inaugural United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events here in South Africa. On behalf of the Government of South Africa, I am delighted that you are registered as a delegate for this important meeting of tourism leaders.
The year 2010 promises to be an exceptional year for tourism, sport and mega-events around the globe. We in South Africa are particularly excited about the year ahead, as at long last the year of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM is here. Ke nako - it is time!
The same applies to destinations across the globe who will be hosting tourism, sport and mega-events this year. From the Winter Olympics taking place this month in Vancouver, Canada, to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, and the World Expo in Shanghai, China - across the globe the tourism calendar is being re-energised, fuelling global economic activity, employment and confidence.
As we know how important it is for all the tourism events around the world to be a success, both in terms of event activation and enduring legacy, the inaugural UNWTO International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 24 to 26 February 2010, aims to bring the global tourism community together to share best practice and knowledge in order to ensure mega-events excellence, which would in turn unlock higher levels of achievement and impact.
The UNWTO International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events is honoured to bring together the world's leading tourism experts, and we are delighted at the prospect of hosting you.
Looking forward to seeing you in Johannesburg later this month.
MINISTER MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK
Click here to download the Programme (.pdf 0.4Mb)
THE OPENING ADDRESS WILL BE DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA.
A GOODWILL MESSAGE WILL BE DELIVERED BY ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU.
SOME OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE TOURISM, SPORT AND MEGA-EVENTS SUMMIT ARE:
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Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African Tourism Minister
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Dr Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer: 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Local Organising Committee
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Mr Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General
ACCREDITATION
All participants in the event must be accredited, and are required to bring along their original identity documents when reporting for accreditation. On arrival at the accreditation centre, foreign delegates shall be asked to present their passports. Once they have been verified on the registration spreadsheet, they will be accredited. South Africans requiring accreditation will be asked for their green bar-coded South African identity document, an RSA driver's licence, or their passport. Again, once verified on the registration spreadsheet, they will be accredited. All delegates are requested to report personally to the accreditation centre.
Media requiring accreditation will need their passport or South African identity document and a press card.
Accreditation cards/badges should please be worn visibly at all times during the conference.
VISAS AND IMMIGRATION
All foreign delegates must apply for the relevant visa BEFORE leaving their respective countries to attend the T.20 Ministers' Meeting and/or the UNWTO International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events. Any queries relating to visas will be handled by South African missions in your home country. Visa applications are considered by South African missions abroad, and must be affixed to the applicant's passport before departing to South Africa. No South African port of entry issues visas upon arrival.
Kindly note that all visa costs will be for delegates' own account.
Please refer to the General Notes section for additional information.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)
The Gauteng Provincial Department of Health has been tasked to provide emergency medical services at the Sandton Convention Centre for the duration of the T.20 Ministers' Meeting from 22 to 24 February 2010, as well as during the International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-events from 24 to 26 February 2010. The on-site service is extended to all ministers, delegates and support staff, and consists of a medical facility with full resuscitation capability at the Convention Centre, an on-site advanced life support paramedic, and a fully staffed ambulance operating from 08:00 until 18:00 daily from 23 to 26 February 2010 as well as during the welcome and gala dinners, as scheduled. However, please note that regular medical insurance should still be obtained, as the South African Government cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred for medical treatment other than the emergency medical services. In case of after-hour emergencies, call 011 564 2294.
URGENT NOTICE - DOMESTIC FLIGHTS!
Mango Airline, the domestic airline partner for the 2010 Summit, has sponsored some flights from their hubs (Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein) in South Africa. If you are a registered delegate attending the Tourism, Sport and Mega Event International Summit and wish to apply for a sponsored flight from one of these hubs, please send an e-mail to Xolile@tepg.co.za. Seats are limited.
GALA DINNER
The gala dinner will take place on Wednesday evening, 24 February 2010, at 18:30 for 19:00.
If you are a confirmed delegate for the Tourism, Sport and Mega-Events Summit, please ensure that you are accredited at the Sandton Convention Centre on the afternoon of 23 February or during 24 February 2010 at the accreditation centre on level 4.
Due to protocol and security measures, delegates will only gain entry to the gala dinner once they have been accredited.
If you have received a personalised invitation, and are not a confirmed delegate for the Tourism, Sport and Mega-Events Summit, you will need to bring your RSVP confirmation print-out as well as your identity document or driver's licence to the registration desk at the Pavilion on level 5 of the Sandton Convention Centre on the evening of the dinner in order to gain access.
Kindly note, this invitation shall admit only the invitee to the gala dinner. Invitations are not transferable.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Yellow Fever
- In terms of both the South African Department of
Health and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines
and policies pertaining to Yellow Fever, a Vaccination
Certificate from travellers over one year of age entering
South Africa from yellow fever endemic regions is
required. Visitors who travel through or disembark
in these Yellow Fever Endemic areas are required to
be vaccinated against the disease before entering
South Africa.
Medical Insurance
All International Delegates must
ensure that they have medical insurance before entering
South Africa.
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