Social Programme

Opening Ceremony, Opening of the Trade Exhibition, Welcome Reception

Date : Sunday, March 22, 2009
Time : 18.15 – 21.00 hours
Venue : CICC, Cairo International Congress Centre.

Participants are welcomed by the President of the ISBT and the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee. The Opening Ceremony will have lots of traditional and cultural performances: “Smiling Egypt with different faces”. The Welcome Reception will be held at the exhibition area. The reception is where participants meet old friends and make new acquaintances for a night of enjoyable conversation.

Congress Banquet

Date : Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Time : 18.30 – 22.00 hours
Venue : The Pyramids at Giza

This Banquet will be set in a magical atmosphere, one of the world seven wonders at the Pyramids area. The Pyramids at Giza are among the world’s great tourist attractions and never loose their ability to overwhelm visitors. They are truly awe-inspiring and provide the context for this event. An oriental Egyptian tent will be faced towards the Great Pyramids. During the evening you can enjoy the local traditions while listening to the oriental music and watch the folklores.

Accompanying Persons Tour
For registered accompanying persons only

Old Cairo

Date : Monday, March 23, 2009
Time : 09.00 – 13.00 hours (including lunch)
Fees : (Included in the registration fee Accompanying Persons)

We will begin our journey in old Cairo, in an area known to the Egyptians as Masr Al-Qadima, starting in El-Hussein and the area surrounding it. This is a very rich area with many ancient buildings, such as Mosques, Sabils (a public water fountain), Meddressahs (schools), Khan (hotels), Beit (houses) and many others. We will also visit the ancient bazaar of Khalili which has remained largely unchanged since the 14th century. All the bounty that the East has to offer is available here: silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and Mashrabiya (wooden screens). While you are there, take the time to have a coffee or tea or even to smoke a water pipe (Shisha) at Al Fishawy, the most ancient coffee shop in the whole area. We will also see Beit El Sehimy, and walk to Bab El Nasr or Bab El Fotouh to see Cairo’s ancient gates that were made to fortify the city. On the way you will pass many ancient mosques and buildings.

Lunch will be served in Al-Azhar Park. This hilly site is surrounded by the most significant historic districts of Islamic Cairo and is one of the most popular destinations for many visitors to the city.