General information

Macao

Welcome to Macao, the city in the Pearl River Delta of southern Guangdong province of China. It is located 60 km from Hong Kong and 145 km from the city of Guangzhou. Listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List being "The Historic Centre of Macao" . it is a living representation of the city's historic encounter between China and the western world. Here you will find the old-fashioned charm and atmosphere of romance contrasting with the multitude facets of entertainment and nightlife.

Macao is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China from December 20, 1999 and has been thriving in size and economy since then. The heritage of western settlers has combined with Chinese traditions to create a cultural blend that is expressed in Baroque churches and ornate temples, fortresses, lighthouse and Chinese residential compounds, street markets and theme parks, historic mansions and China coast shop houses. On the other hand, new boulevards, buildings and sculptures embody the city's modern and dynamic spirit.

Being a great tourism destination, Macao has many kinds of entertainment in store for you. For nature lovers, there are parks, gardens and outdoor hiking tracks. For history lovers, there are 18 museums covering 400 years of Macao's history. For the active and adventurous ones, you will find sky-walking, sky jumping, go-karting, golfing, etc..

When it is time to eat, Macao will amaze with its multi-cultural kitchen that embraces the cuisines of Portuguese, Italian, French, South East Asia and various provinces of China. Enjoy authentic dishes of fresh ingredients, accompanied by Portuguese wines or Chinese tea, in family style cafes, palatial banquet halls or restored colonial dining rooms.

Feel yourself and experience Macao!

About Macao

Participants are invited to visit websites of Macao Government at www.gov.mo or the Macao Government Tourist Office at www.macautourism.gov.mo to obtain general information, including travel info, visa requirement, currency, climate and ways of getting to Macao.

Badges

All participants and accompanying persons will receive a personal badge upon registration. You are kindly requested to wear your name badge at all times, during scientific meetings and social gatherings. Only participants who are wearing their name badge will be admitted to the lecture halls.

Please note: accompanying persons and exhibitors will not be admitted to the scientific sessions. Accompanying persons do have free access to the exhibition.

Name badges have been color-coded a follows:

ISBT (Board) Member	Red
ISBT Non-Member	Transparant
Organising Committee	Green
Accompanying Persons	Yellow
Exhibitors	Blue
Press	Orange

Certificates of Attendance

Certificates of Attendance will be available at Registration Desk as of Tuesday, June 10, at 12.00 hours.

Climate

With a tropical climate, the average temperature for June is around 31¢ªC during day time and 27¢ªC at night and the weather is humid. For up-to-date weather forecasts, please see the Macao Meteorological Geophysical Services website www.smg.gov.mo.

Coffee and tea breaks

During session-breaks coffee and tea will be served free of charge to delegates wearing name badges on the exhibition floor.

Currency

Macao’s official currency is the Pataca (MOP) and it is divided into 100 avos. The Pataca is linked to the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) which is accepted as currency in Macao. Roughly 1 EURO is equivalent
to 11 Patacas while 1 US Dollar is equivalent to 8 Patacas. Foreign currency or travellers’ cheques can be changed in hotels, banks and authorised exchange dealers located all around the city. Banks open normally from 09.00 to 17.00 on Mondays to Fridays. Most credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops and restaurants. There are no restrictions on the amount of currency to be brought in or taken out of the territory.

Eating out

Among other things, Macao is famous for its cuisine and for the quality of food served by the territory’s restaurants and hotels. It is hard to find another city with such a concentration of restaurants offering so many different cuisines to suit so many tastes at all kinds of budget. Breakfast is usually served during 7.00 to 11.00 while lunch is taken around 13.00 to 14.30. Dinner is the most important meal of the day which symbolizes family gathering and is usually served between 19.00 and 20.30.

Electricity Supply

The standard voltage in Macao is 220 volts AC/50 cycles. Most plugs or socket systems in Macao take a 3-rectangular-pin type. An adaptor will be needed for operating electrical appliances other than those of 220 volts.

Emergency Service

Police, Fire or Ambulance 999
24-hour Tourist Emergency Number 110 or 112

Exhibition Hours

Sunday,	June 8, 2008	18.00 – 21.00
Monday,	June 9, 2008	10.00 – 19.00
Tuesday,	June 10, 2008	10.00 – 18.00
Wednesday,	June 11, 2008	10.00 – 17.00

First Aid Service at Conference Venue

For emergency matters, delegates are encouraged to call the Priority Service Centre of the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel for assistance. Doctors and nurses are available on site 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The charge for this service is at MOP$100 for a nurse and MOP$450 for a doctor. Please call 853 811 80990 from ensuite or to find Security in any public area and they will be brought to the medical office for further assistance.

Hotel Limousine Service

Hotel Limousine Service can be arranged from Macao International Airport or Macao Ferry Terminal to the Venetian Macao at MOP/HK$400 per hour. Advance booking is required. Please contact ICC Ltd. for the arrangement.

Insurance

The XXXth International Congress of the ISBT, Macao accepts no liability for any personal injury, loss or damage of property belonging to or additional expenses incurred by congress participants either during the congress or as result of delays, strikes or any other circumstances. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

Internet

Internet connection is available in most hotels. There will be internet corners in the Exhibition Area, where participants will be able to get access to their mail.

Language

The official languages are Chinese and Portuguese. English is widely understood. The official Congress Language is English, however during the Plenary Sessions Simultaneous Interpretation into Putonghua Chinese will be provided.

Lunch

Lunch is included in the registration fee. Lunch will be provided in the Exhibition Area and at the entrance of the meeting rooms where the Satellite Symposia will take place. For the ISBT Educational Day lunch boxes will be served outside the meeting room.

Massage Centre

In the Exhibition Area you will find a Massage Centre. For all participants to visit during exhibition hours.

Message Desk (Exhibition Area)

At the Message Desk participants can leave or collect messages. The desk will be located in the Exhibition Area.

Passport & Visa

If visas are required for Macao and/or Hong Kong, all participants should be reminded to request visa from the Immigration Services through Embassies / Consulates of the PRC or on arrival in Macao at the Immigration Services. Should this be the case, the participants have to arrange at their own expenses for multiple entry visas. For further information, please call the Macau Immigration Services of Public Security Police Force: (Macao Area code) 853 - 2872 5488 or visit the website: www.fsm.gov.mo.

Pharmacies

Drug stores / pharmacies can be found in Macao easily. Please check with your hotel concierge for details.

Population

There are more than 508,000 inhabitants, 95% are of Chinese origin.

Public Transportation

Free shuttle bus service between Venetian and various hotels in Macao is available to Congress Participants. Please approach the registration desk for detailed bus schedule and participating hotels. Full information is also posted on the Congress website at www.istb-web.org/macao.

There is a free shuttle bus from the Venetian to/from main transport hubs with the following frequencies:

Routes	Operating Hours	Frequency
Barrier Gate	09.30 – 23.30	Departs every 5 minutes
Macao Ferry Terminal & Heliport	09.30 – 24.00	Departs every 8 minutes
Macao International Airport	11.00 – 21.00	Departs every 10 minutes
Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal	06.30 – 17.00	Departs every 15 minutes
Lotus Bridge Checkpoint	10.00 – 19.45	Departs every 15 minutes
Sands Casino	10.00 – 02.00	Departs every 8 minutes

Programme Changes

The organisers cannot assume liability for any changes in the programme due to external or unforeseen circumstances. Changes will be mentioned on message screens throughout the Congress Centre.

Registration Hours

The registration desk in the Venetian Resort Hotel Macao will be open at the following hours:

Saturday	June 7, 2008	08.00 – 18.00
Sunday	June 8, 2008	07.30 – 18.00
Monday	June 9, 2008	07.30 – 18.00
Tuesday	June 10, 2008	08.00 – 18.00
Wednesday	June 11, 2008	08.00 – 18.00
Thursday	June 12, 2008	08.00 – 13.00

Services provided at desks in the Registration Area include:

E-mail Service :	Internet access in the Exhibition Hall
Exhibition Information :	Exhibition Desk in the Registration Area
Hotel Accommodation :	Last-minute availability at the Hotel, Travel and Tours Desk in the Registration Area
Lost and Found :	Information Desk in the Registration Area
Tours :	Tickets for sale at the Hotel, Travel and Tours Desk in the Registration Area

Shopping in Macao -
a pleasure and an adventure...

Macao is a place where you can purchase almost anything, and have a wonderful time doing it.
Shops are usually open between 10.00 and 21.00 from Mondays to Sundays. Luxury items are cheaper here than in other cities in the region. Jewelry (particularly 24-carat gold), cameras, porcelain, electronic items, mobile phones, watches, overruns and seconds of branded garments, cashmere sweaters and silk clothing are available at very reasonable prices.

It is also a great treasure trove for Chinese antiques and collectibles. You can find here ancient coins, 19th century stocks and shares, stamps and other printed material (Rua das Estalagens and Rua da Tercena); boxes of tea (Rua Cinco de Outubro) and coffee from around the world (Estrada do Cemiterio and Avenida do Coronel Mesquita); traditional shops where tea is displayed in wooden drawers and glass goblets; and countless old Chinese Pharmacies packed with traditional medicines (Rua de S.Paulo and Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva). These are just a few examples to illustrate how adventurous and fascinating shopping in Macao can be. Now it’s up to you to explore.

Time

Macao is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+8GMT).

Tipping

A service charge of 10% is usually included in the bill but most restaurants would appreciate a little extra tip to round up the bill. It is a common practice for waiters to serve tea, condiments and  ometimes non-ordered snacks, which are already included in the bill when you eat in a Chinese restaurant. If in doubt, please check with the restaurant.

Useful telephone and fax numbers

Service	Telephone
Hotel, Travel and Tours Desk	+853 811 71820 / +853 662 16101
Registration Desk	+853 811 71821
Speaker Ready Room	+853 811 71801/2

Venue

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel

Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora
da Espenrance, S/N
The Cotai Strip, Taipa
Macao SAR, P.R. China
Phone: +853 2882-8800
Fax: +853 2882-8880
Website: www.venetianmacao.com

Transportation

How to Reach Macao

There are various ways for participants to choose from getting into Macao, whether by air to the Macao International Airport, via helicopter or by sea from Hong Kong, or by sea or on land from mainland China. For detailed information of accessibility of Macao participants may visit the website of Macao Government Tourist Office at www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/get2macau.php and you will find different ways of getting to Macao and the visa requirements.

Flights to Macao International Airport

The airport is located on Taipa Island and is only 10 minutes away from the Congress Venue -The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and 20 minutes from the city center. It operates 24 hours a day.

There are a number of airlines flying to and from Macao, including the local carrier-Air Macau which flies to major cities of Mainland China, Taiwan, Bangkok, Manila, Osaka and Seoul. Other international carriers operating routes to Macao are: Air Asia, EVA Airways, Transasia Airways, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air and VIVA Macau while regional carriers serving between China and Macao are Xiamen Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Hainan Airlines. International participants flying from Europe, America or Australia may choose to transit at major hubs of Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul or Manila and take connecting flights to Macao. For detailed information on flight schedules, please visit the website of Macau International Airport at www.macau-airport.com.

To and from Hong Kong International Airport

Participants may choose to fly to Hong Kong and take a ferry or helicopter to Macao. The Cross Boundary Passenger Ferry Terminal provides ferry service between the Hong Kong International Airport and Macao Ferry Terminal. Passenger can take the “TurboJET Sea Express” and transit to Macao via the Hong Kong International Airport without the need to go through Hong Kong Customs and Immigration formalities and also without the hassle of carrying their luggage to the ferry terminal. Website of TurboJET Sea Express is at www.turbojetseaexpress.com.hk.

* Macau is the official Portuguese designation while Macao is officially used in English.

Public Transportation

Taxis

Perhaps the most convenient way to get around the city is by taxi. There are 2 types of taxis: the black with cream roof ones and the yellow ones.
The fares for them are the same.

Taxi Fares (MOP$)

Meter Charges
Flag fall (first 1,500 meters)	$11
Every additional 180 meters / every 50 seconds of waiting time	$1
Additional Charges
Each piece of baggage carried in the baggage compartment	$3
Taipa to Coloane	$2
Macao to Coloane	$5
Boarding taxi at the Macao International Airport	$5

There is no surcharge from Macau to Taipa or from the islands to Macau and between Taipa and Coloane.

Taxi calling service: 2851 9519 / 2893 9939

As the English skills of many taxi drivers are very limited, you are recommended to bring a city map with you or have your destination written in Chinese.

Buses

Macau has an efficient bus network. Visitors can look for the destinations, itineraries and stops in the information panels located at every bus stop.

Bus Fares (MOP$)

Within Macao Peninsula	$2.5
Macao to Taipa	$3.3
Macao to Coloane Village	$4
Macao to Hác-Sá	$5
Macao to and from the airport - AP1	$3.3

For reference only

Exact change is required. For detailed information on the bus routes and fares, please visit the following websites:

• TCM www.tcm.com.mo
• Transmacau www.transmac.com.mo