Registration
Your identity badge will be available at the registration desk upon presentation of the e-mail confirmation you received at the time of registration. You will be asked to present the email as well as an official identity document (passport or national identity card). The registration desk operating hours will be:
 

• 08 November: the registration desk located in the hotel will open from 8h to 22h;
• 09-11 November: the desk will open from 07h00 (on 9th) 7h30 to 18h; and
• 12 November: the desk will open from 08h – 12h.

Working hours

The opening ceremony for both GILF and GSR will take place on Monday, 9 November, 9:00-10:00 hours.

The Global Industry Leaders Forum: the working hours will be from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours and from 14:00 hours to 17:30 hours on Monday, 9 November.

The 9th Global symposium for Regulators: the working hours will be from 09:00 hours to 12:30 hours and from 14:00 hours to 17:15 hours on Tuesday, 10 November and Wednesday, 11 November. The working hours on Thursday, 12 November will be from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours.  

Transfer from Beirut International Airport to Habtoor Grand Hotel
The Host will arrange shuttle bus for all participants. A shuttle bus service from the Airport to official hotels and the hotels to the Airport will be arranged free of charge for participants on the following dates: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 November 2009. More information will be provided soon. Alternatively, participants may take a limousine or a public taxi. The participants are advised to contact the Information Desk at the Airport for assistance.

Hotels
Hotels with preferential rates and booking information is available here.

Immigration
All foreigners must have a valid passport and visa to enter Lebanon. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Visas can be obtained in advance at Lebanese embassies and consulates around the world.

Kindly note that a free one month valid visas will be granted at the airport and the frontier offices, renewable up to three months, to the citizens of all the countries listed below:
Andorra – Antigua and Barbuda – Argentina – Armenia – Australia – Austria – Azerbaijan – The Bahamas – Barbados – Belarus – Belgium – Belize – Bhutan – Brazil – Bulgaria – Canada – Chile – China Rep – Czech Republic –  Costa Rica –  Croatia – Cyprus –  Denmark – Dominican Republic – Estonia – Finland – France – Great Britain - Georgia – Germany – Greece – Hong Kong – Hungary – Iceland – Ireland – Italy – Japan – Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan  – Latvia – Lithuania – Liechtenstein – Luxembourg – Macedonia – Macau (S A R) – Malaysia – Malta – Mexico – Moldova – Monaco – Montenegro – Netherlands – New Zealand – Norway – Palau – Panama – Peru – Poland – Portugal  – Russia – Romania – Saint Kitts & Nevis – Samoa – San Marino – Serbia– Singapore – Slovakia – Slovenia  – South Korea – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – Tajikistan – Turkey (exclusively at airport) -Trinidad & Tobago – Turkmenistan – USA – Ukraine – Uzbekistan –Venezuela.

The same applies to nationals of countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (Saudi Arabia – Kuwait - United Arab of Emirates – Bahrain- Qatar - Oman) as well as to nationals of the Jordanian Hashemite Kingdom state holding the National Number on their passports.

All other participants are urged to contact gsr.visas@tra.gov.lb  and send at this address (or at fax number +961 1 964 431) a copy of their passports no later than 4 November.
 

Currency & Exchange
The official Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound or lira (LL). Notes are available in denominations of: LL1,000; LL5,000; LL10,000; LL20,000; LL50,000; and LL100,000. There are also LL250 and LL500 coins.

U.S. dollars are used widely throughout the country. Restaurants, hotels, and stores often quote their prices in U.S. dollars, and many establishments will convert and provide U.S. dollar prices for you upon request. If you plan to use U.S. dollars, it is advisable to bring small bills (US$1 to US$20 notes).  

The USD/LL exchange rate is relatively stable, hovering around US$1=LL1,500.

Money or travelers checks can be exchanged at banks, private money exchange shops, and major hotels. Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted at most large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are also widely available in Beirut and larger cities and will usually dispense both U.S. dollars and Lebanese pounds

Communications
Telephones:
While the telephone system in Lebanon is well-developed, there are few public pay phones, and international phone calls are expensive. Most Lebanese use mobile phones, and coverage extends throughout the country.

The country code for Lebanon is (961). This is followed by the local area code and the telephone number. The area code for mobile phones is (03) and the area code for Beirut is (01). If you are dialing Lebanon from outside the country, omit the (0) in the area code.

Internet:
There are Internet cafés available throughout Lebanon, and many larger hotels now offer high-speed and wireless Internet access for free or for a small fee.

Electricity
Electric current is 110/220 volts, 50 cycles. A two-pin plug, with round pins is commonly used (Type C, similar to many European countries), but other types of plugs are also in use so it is best to check before you go.

Health
Lebanon is a developed country with relatively good health facilities. Similar to travel to other foreign countries, hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended; also make sure tetanus-diphtheria and measles vaccinations are up-to-date. A typhoid vaccine is also recommended for travel to Lebanon.

Although Beirut's tap water is considered safe to drink, it's probably best to drink bottled water as the Lebanese do. As is the general traveler's rule, to be absolutely safe drink water only from bottles with intact caps, do not take ice in your drinks, and eat only cooked food and fruits that you can peel.

Time Zone
Lebanese time is G.M.T. +2 hours in winter (October to March) and +3 hours in summer (April to September), when daylight savings time is observed.

Business Hours
Shops and businesses are typically open Monday through Saturday, 9:00-18:00. Banking hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30-12:30. Working hours for government offices and post offices are typically 8:00-14:00. 

All information about Lebanon can be found on the Ministry of Tourism Website: http://www.destinationlebanon.com/About/Practical_Information.aspx

Sponsorship is being managed by the host country. For more information, please send an email to GSR.sponsorship@tra.gov.lb