General Information

The Conference Site and Venue
The conference will take place at the David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel-Aviv, which is only a twenty-five minute drive from “Ben-Gurion” International Airport, less than an hour from Jerusalem and within easy reach of the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and is ideally situated on Tel-Aviv’s seafront, opposite its buzzing beachfront promenade.

Tel-Aviv is the 2nd largest city of Israel. As an exciting and cosmopolitan mix of leisure activities, Tel-Aviv offers something for everyone – to be fully enjoyed in its ideal Mediterranean climate: outdoor cafes, ethnic restaurants, historic sites, open oriental markets and of course, the Mediterranean coast and its golden beaches.

The Organizing Committee has reserved rooms at the conference venue, which will be offered to the participants at special reduced rates when booked via the Conference Secretariat, ORTRA Ltd.

Exhibition
A relevant, professional exhibition will accompany the Conference. Companies, agencies, manufacturers and publishers who are interested are invited to contact the Conference Secretariat for further information.

Language
The official language of the Conference is English.

Travel
Ben Gurion International Airport (BGIA), located just off the road linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. Many major international airlines arrive at and depart from BGIA with increasing frequency.

Climate and Clothing
November is early winter in Israel. Temperatures in Tel Aviv range between 13 - 24°C / 55 - 75°F. Rain is possible. Dress will be informal throughout the Conference. In addition, modest dress appropriate for visits to religious sites is recommended.

Pre and Post-Conference Tours
Pre and Post-Conference tours in Israel will be arranged for interested participants. Further details will be published in the Second Announcement.

Visa
All international Conference participants are eligible to enter Israel. Citizens of North American, Western European and many Asian and South American countries need only a valid passport in order to be admitted entry to Israel. It is recommended to verify visa requirements with the Israeli Embassy in your country.
Individuals residing in countries without diplomatic relations with Israel should write to the Secretariat no later than three months prior to the Conference, giving their full name, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, dates of issue and expiry, place of issue, flight number, point of departure and arrival date and time.

Currency
The unit of currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) commonly known as the Shekel. Approximate currency rates as of January 2009 are as follows:
US $ 1 = NIS 3.88 Euro € 1 = NIS 5.22
There are no restrictions on transfer and use of foreign currencies in Israel.
Most international credit cards are accepted.

Electricity
Electricity in Israel is supplied at 220V, 50Hz and has a three-pin connecting plug.

Value Added Tax Reimbursement
According to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Law, a foreign tourist is able to benefit from a zero rate of VAT on a vast array of services obtained during a stay in Israel. In addition, a special arrangement exists whereby a tourist may also request a VAT refund on purchases made during a stay.
For more details please visit the official website of the Ministry of Finance, Israeli Department of Customs and VAT

More Information about Israel on the Internet, see the following websites:
Tel Aviv’s Official Site
Ministry of Foreign Affairs