Practical Information

A country of sun and history, Turkey straddles Europe and Asia and is located at the intersection of the three continents of the Old World – Asia, Africa and Europe. It is surrounded by the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its geographical location, the Anatolian peninsula has been a crossroads for numerous migrating peoples who have shaped the course of Turkish history. Home to countless civilizations, Anatolia has developed a unique synthesis of cultures, each with its own distinct identity, yet linked to its predecessors by unbreakable threads. As an ancient land and modern nation, Turkey is both the inheritor and custodian of the common heritage of mankind.

In addition to being a nation with a vast history, Turkey boasts many ancient and beautiful heritage sites. Sixteen of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia; the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği; the Historic Areas of Istanbul; Hattusha: the Hittite Capital; Mount Nemrut; Hierapolis-Pamukkale; Xanthos-Letoon; the City of Safranbolu; the Archaeological Site of Troy; Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex; the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük; Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire; Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape; Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape; Ephesus; and the Archaeological Site of Ani.

Turkey has a population of 78.67 million people and is home to some of the world’s largest cities and metropolitan areas.

With its 640-km long coastline and its rich history and incredible natural beauty, Antalya is a major world-renowned tourist destination with 12 million annual foreign visitors on average and 15 million visitors expected in 2017. Antalya, known as the ‘Turkish Riviera’, has become one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to its historical sights and the beautiful beaches and mountains that surround it. There are approximately 300 sites of antiquity to visit, such as Aspendos, Termessos, Phaselis, St. Nicholas, Perge and the ruins of the ancient city of Patara. The exceptional combination of sea and sun, beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and authentically historical localities such as Olympos makes it a wonderland for visitors.

Although the modern city is located on the site of the ancient settlement, some traces of antiquity are still to be found, such as the old harbour pier and the walls surrounding the harbour. On the other side of the walls is one of Antalya’s most impressive ancient monuments – Hadrian’s Gate – which is currently being restored.

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. With the summer over and fewer tourists, Antalya in November is cooler, quieter and less crowded. At this time of year, the weather is wetter in Antalya than in previous months, and the average daily temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.

The official currency is the Turkish lira, abbreviated as TL or TRY. Exchange facilities are available at banks, and there are currency exchange points in many areas of Antalya. If you cannot get Turkish liras in your home country, major currencies (USD, EUR, CHF, GBP) can be changed in Turkey. It is always advisable to change some money into TL at the airport to ensure trouble-free travel. You can also change money at your hotel.

Exchange rates (approximate):

• USD 1 = TRY 3.51
• EUR 1 = TRY 3.96
• CHF 1 = TRY 3.64
• GBP 1 = TRY 4.54

The city offers various modes of public transport, including buses, taxi cabs, trams and minibuses. We encourage you to take advantage of the efficient public transport system to get around Antalya and neighbouring areas during your stay.

All visitors to Turkey must hold a valid passport. The Turkish Government strongly recommends that passports be valid for at least six months before the trip.

All delegates should by now have obtained their Turkish visa as relevant. In case you still require assistance please contact event.support@ifrc.org and visainformation@kizilay.org.tr at your earliest convenience. Make sure you have sent a copy of your passport to visainformation@kizilay.org.tr.

Those delegates who wish their visa fees reimbursed, please visit the Visa desk located in the registration tent.

In order to secure airport pick up, please be reminded to send a copy of your flight ticket to: transfer@zed.com.tr as well as update your flight details in your EVENT registration.

The Turkish Red Crescent set up welcome desks at both Antalya and Istanbul airports and you will be met at the arrival terminals by their volunteers who will assist you.

In Antalya volunteers will guide you to your bus.

Please note that transfer services will only be provided to the official statutory meetings hotels.

In addition, there will be a regular shuttle service organised between the following hotels and the Conference venue: the Regnum Carya Golf & SPA Resort, the Sentido Zeynep Resort Hotel, the Sentido Zeynep Golf & Spa hotel and the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort&Spa hotel.

All delegates are encouraged to obtain their conference badge from the registration tent located in front of the Conference venue.

The registration will be open from 4 to 11 November 2017 from 8:00 to 19:00.

Please note that to obtain a badge, participants must present themselves in person (photos taken on site), with a photo-ID (official document with a picture).

If possible, make sure to obtain your badge before 6 Nov to avoid long queues on the day of the Opening of statutory meetings.

Those delegates attending the Gala dinner on the 5 November must wear their badge.

Once Chiefs of Delegation (or their substitute delegates) have registered, they will need to collect their delegation’s sealed envelope for e-Voting at the registration tent. The sealed envelope is required in order to vote in the elections. As no sealed envelopes will be distributed or available in the Plenary Room, delegates are reminded that it is vital that the sealed envelope is collected in good time before the voting commences on the 6 November.

Security staff will control access to the building using scanners and X-ray machines. Please foresee sufficient time to go through these security checks. To facilitate these checks and the checking of your personal belongings, as well as to prevent alarms from being set off, we kindly ask that you hand to the security staff any metal objects you might be carrying before passing through the detectors. Please also make sure that your bags do not contain any items banned under current airport security rules.

In terms of crime, Antalya city (and nearby tourist areas) experiences lower levels of crime than many other European cities of similar size. Street crime such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching and petty theft is the main threat to business travellers and expatriates. Protests are rare in Antalya and pose little risk to foreign visitors. We strongly recommend that you pay close attention to your personal belongings. Never carry large amounts of money on you and if possible, leave your valuables (jewellery, identity papers, credit cards, travel tickets) in your hotel safe.

Additionally, please ensure that you do not leave your belongings unattended at Convention Centre because neither the conference organisers nor hotels can be responsible in case of loss or theft.

The conference venue and all recommended hotels have been assessed from a security standpoint and clear that all locations place high emphasis on visitor safety and well-being and the security measures at those sites meet required standards.

The Statutory Meetings will take place at the Kaya Palazzo Convention Center at Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort.

Hotel address:
Üç Kum Tepesi Mevki
Belek, Antalya
07506 Serik/Antalya/Turkey

Hotel web site: www.kayahotels.com/oteller/resort-oteller/kaya-palazzo-golf-resort

The plenary sessions will be held in the meeting room San Marco 1-2-3.

Workshops and other meetings will take place in a number of meeting rooms that will appear on screens in the meeting venue.

Upon arrival, delegates can enjoy their “all inclusive” package. This includes any drinks and buffet throughout the day from the designated open bars and main restaurant area.

During your stay you are requested to have your breakfast and dinner in your hotel.

From 5 to 11 November all delegates are invited to have their lunch in the two main restaurants at the Kaya Palazzo and Kaya Belek Hotels.

Food served at the restaurants and receptions will not contain pork or pork products. Vegetarians will have a large choice of dishes; any other special dietary requirements should be notified in advance in your hotel booking form.

All delegates are cordially invited to the following events:

• Welcome Gala Dinner hosted by the Turkish Red Crescent
  Sunday, 5 November 2017 at 19:30
  in the Carya ballroom at the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort. Please kindly note that the Regnum Hotel is within walking distance of the Kaya Hotels. In addition, shuttle services will be provided from all official hotels to the gala venue. Please make sure to wear your Conference badge.
• Cocktail hosted by the IFRC
  8 November 2017 at 18:00
  in the Anatolia Hall in the Kaya Palazzo Hotel.
• Joint Awards Ceremony reception hosted by the Conference Organizers
  9 November 2017 at 19:30
  in the Anatolia Hall in the Kaya Palazzo Hotel.

Delegates will have free Wi-Fi access at the Convention Center and in their hotel rooms.

An internet corner with a printing facility will be available in the exhibition area.

During the official meeting dates a fully equipped ambulance with medical staff will be in front of the meeting venue.

A 24-hour first-aid service will be available at the hotels. If necessary, patients will be referred to medical facilities in Antalya.

We remind all delegates that they must take out their own travel insurance.

A prayer space will be available for delegates, located in the Kaya Belek Hotel 1st floor, room numbers 1101 – 1109. Please remain quiet in this area, showing respect for people using it.

Delegates who have questions related to their hotel accommodation or need settle their invoice please visit accommodation desk which is located in the registration tent.

For any questions related to your EVENT registration please visit the Event registration office in Office Belini 1.

If you have any questions related to the 2017 IFRC elections, please visit Room Romano 2 situated next to the Plenary Room.

There is also an Information stand set up in the exhibition area as of the 4 November 2017 where you will be able to test the voting system and ask any questions on the technology.

As noted above, chiefs of delegation (or their substitute delegate) will need to collect their sealed envelope for e-voting at the registration tent as no distribution will be made inside the Plenary Room. More information on the elections will be made available at the Orientation Session which will take place in the San Marco Room 1, 2, 3 on the 5 November 2017 at 17:00.

All delegates are invited to the presentation of presidential candidates which will take place on the 6 November 2017 at 08:30 in the Plenary Room.

Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets/points. We encourage our delegates to bring the necessary transformers/adapters with them.

Green statutory meetings have been a success, and we encourage you to act in an environmentally responsible manner by limiting paper consumption.