SWIFT Regional Conference in the Middle East - Dubai
Practical inforamtion
Date: 1-3 March 2010
Venue: Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Sheik Zayed Road
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 3300000
Fax: +971 4 3303030
| Climate |
Dubai weather is generally hot and humid with a high daily average of sun hours.
The weather in Dubai can bring short and irregular rainfall as is typical for the Middle East. Most of the rainfall in Dubai occurs between December and March. Between the months of December and March, the average temperature is 24°C.
| Currency and Exchange Rate |
The monetary unit is the dirham (Dhs/AED) which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund and has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of the 1980s at a mid-rate of approximately US$1 = Dhs3.679.
| Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs |
Generally, all types of credit cards are accepted in Dubai. ATM’s can be found easily. As a precaution, check that the appropriate logo is displayed on the ATM before inserting your card. Remember that every time you withdraw cash there will be a transaction surcharge. Check with your own bank to see how much this is.
| Dress Code |
Gentlemen:
- Conference: Business attire
- Social events: Smart casual
Ladies:
- Conference: Business attire
- Social events: Smart casual
As far as dress is concerned, it is important that ladies dress modestly beyond the venue grounds, i.e. long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with covered shoulders; men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves.
Tight-fitting clothes should be restricted to the hotel to avoid giving offence although this is not strictly followed by some Westerners. Shorts should not be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach and swimming pool.
| Electricity |
220V, 50Hz, AC three-pin plugs are generally standard.
| Food and Drink |
Visitors from many parts of the world along with a multi-ethnic resident community have ensured that a sophisticated and innovative food culture has developed in the UAE from Mexican to Chinese to Persian food. If you cannot find anything to suit, small ethnic cafés and corner stalls are ubiquitous. The food in Dubai is generally good and the standard of service is high.
Alcohol is generally only served in hotel restaurants and bars. Exceptions are some clubs (e.g. golf clubs) and associations. Restaurants that are not associated with hotels are not permitted to serve alcohol.
It is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat, so carry a bottle of water with you at all times.
| Insurance |
Travel insurance is not included in the programme. Please ensure that you are adequately covered for the duration of your stay.
| Medical |
In an emergency a doctor is contactable through the hotel reception. Should you have any specific medical requirements you are advised to bring a supply of prescribed medicines with you, as it may not be possible to source the same medication under the same brand name locally.
| Nightlife |
Dubai nightlife is vibrant. Wine bars like Agency, cocktail bars like Buddha Bar in the Marina and beach bars like Barasti Bar offer varied scenes. Bars and clubs generally open until 3am.
| Safety |
Dubai’s crime rate is relatively low and officials say tourists have little to worry about with regard to their personal safety.
However, it is always advisable to follow certain precautions when you are in a new city or country. Travellers are often seen as easy targets therefore, the following simple instructions should be observed:
- Do not accept or carry a package or gift for delivery from someone you do not know. The package may be dangerous and/or illegal.
- Be aware of what’s going on around you.
- Stay in the main shopping and tourist areas.
- Keep wallets in an inside pocket and make life as difficult as possible for pick-pockets.
- Keep a firm grip on your purse, bag, camera and shopping.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, watches or displaying valuable items when out in the city.
- Be wary of strangers who seem over anxious to help.
- Do not travel by yourself. At night, walk only in well-lit areas with other pedestrians.
| Social Conventions |
- It is customary for men to shake hands as a form of greeting. However, local women tend not to offer their hands to men, and some local men would prefer not to shake hands with a woman.
- It is best to wait until a hand is offered when meeting someone for the first time.
- Visitors – particularly men – should avoid staring at local women or attempting to make eye contact.
- Permission should be sought before any photographs are taken of locals, especially women.
- Visitors are recommended to be discreet with any public displays of affection.
- Photography of government buildings and any petroleum or military installations is also to be avoided.
- Anyone caught under the influence of alcohol, even small amounts, outside designated drinking areas are liable to being fined or imprisoned.
| Dialling Code |
+971 (national), (0) 4 + seven-figure number (Dubai).
| Time |
GMT +4
| Visas |
Currently, every nationality entering the UAE needs a visa except citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) expatriate residents of the GCC (certain nationalities and professions) and British citizens with the right of abode in the UK. The following citizens of Europe also receive visas on arrival citizens of: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.
For all other nationalities, a visa must be applied for before the visitor enters the country either through their respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor or a local hotel.
If you are travelling to the UAE we strongly recommend you to call your local UAE embassy or consulate to check with them the latest situation regarding visas and to discuss your situation with them.
If you do not have a valid passport you will need to apply for one and cover the relevant cost. Please check with your local immigration office to ensure that you have enough time for your passport application to be processed.
| Venue |
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
Sheik Zayed Road
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 3300000
Fax: +971 4 3303030
www.jumeirah.com/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Jumeirah-Emirates-Towers