Venue
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East
3 Tong Tak Street
Tseung Kwan O
Hong Kong
Accommodation
WFOT has arranged for rooms to be available at the Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East and Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Kowloon East. Delegates are offered preferential WFOT rates only if accommodation is booked directly with either hotel. This rate is not available if booking through an accommodation booking service.
Visa and Travel Regulations
In general, all visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least one month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong. Nationals of most countries do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong for tourism and can stay for periods varying from seven to 180 days, depending on nationality. If you’re unsure of your status, please check with any Chinese embassy or consulate. You can also find further details about visa requirements on the Immigration Department website.
You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate documentation and any other related requirements for your stay in Hong Kong.
To assist with visa applications, your ‘WFOT Invitation to attend CM 2020’ will be emailed to you when you register online to attend CM 2020. This letter may also be used to assist with any employer requirements such as leave applications/professional development requirements/etc.
Transport
There are plenty of ways to get around Hong Kong, whether it’s by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram. The city claims one of the world’s safest, most efficient and frequent public transport systems and a convenient payment method in the form of the Octopus Card.
Getting to and from Hong Kong International Airport from within Asia’s world city is easy, convenient and relatively inexpensive.
Train
The MTR’s high-speed Airport Express train is the fastest transport link to the airport and takes approximately 24 minutes to reach Hong Kong Island. Airport Express passengers can catch a free shuttle bus from Kowloon and Hong Kong stations to major hotels. Both these stations also provide free in-town check-in services for major airlines when you’re returning to the airport. Please contact your airline for further information.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available from the taxi pick-up area in front of the airport’s Arrivals Hall. If you’re travelling to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon you’ll need to catch a red taxi. If you’re headed for the New Territories you’ll need a green taxi, and those going to Lantau Island will require a blue taxi. All taxis in Hong Kong are able to take passengers to and from the airport. Fares are metered and detailed information about charges are clearly displayed inside each cab.
Bus
There are 12 convenient Airbus ‘A’ routes that can take you from the airport to key locations on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and in the New Territories (including Lantau Island) with fewer stops than an ordinary city bus. When you exit the Arrivals Hall, turn right to find Airbuses and city buses.
Coach and limousine charter
Passengers who require their own personal limousines, minivans, vans and group coaches (buses) can book their transport from service providers located in the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 1 or in the coach station located in Terminal 2.
Currency
The Hong Kong dollar is the local currency used. Most shops accepts visa payment. There are plenty of banks/automated banking machines/money exchanges for foreign currencies available in Hong Kong. Banks open on weekdays from 9:00-17:00 and on Saturady morning for some banks.
Electricity and Wi-Fi
The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotel bathrooms also have outlets for 100 volts, but if not, you will need a transformer for any appliance or electrical equipment. The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-style plug. You can buy an inexpensive adaptor for your electrical equipment at most convenience stores.
Free Wi-Fi services are widespread in Hong Kong. In particular, there are many Wi-Fi.HK hotspots widely available across the city in locations such as major tourist attractions, shopping malls, parks and gardens, visitor centres, sports venues, museums, ferry terminals, cooked food centres and government buildings, which offer wireless internet connection completely free or free for a period of time.
Climate
Winter (December to February): Cool, dry and cloudy, with occasional cold fronts. The temperature can drop below 10°C in urban areas.
What to pack: Pack warm garments such as wool sweaters and coats. Bring along a few pieces of thermal wear for extra layers if needed.
Events
The Council Meeting includes formal and informal meetings, evenings of planned social events such as receptions with officials of the local area or organised by Council members. Dress for the Council Meetings is generally casual, with more formal wear at the evening functions or other official meetings with local authorities. Typical or traditional dress of countries is often worn and encouraged for social events. Delegates and Alternates are expected to attend all Council Meetings and social functions as planned.
Healthcare
Hong Kong has world-class hospitals providing outstanding care. Visitors requiring accident and emergency services can seek treatment in the city’s public hospitals for a fee, and will always be treated even if they cannot pay immediately. For further details, please visit the Hospital Authority website. English is spoken by most public and private sector medical professionals.
Culture & Language
Cantonese, a minority dialect of Mainland China, is spoken by 88 per cent of people in Hong Kong. English is widely spoken. Today, it is the language of preference in the government, business and tourism sectors. All official signs and public transport announcements, as well as most menus, are bilingual.
Shopping
The devotion Hong Kong applies to shopping is a sight in its own right. The city’s heritage as an international centre of trade has led to an incredible variety of goods, while the local passion for buying and selling infects almost every corner of the city – and all those who enter it.
Local Food
In a city of sizzling woks, tinkling wine glasses, cosy eateries, pungent cooking aromas, celebrated culinary festivals and trend-setting chefs, everywhere you turn there is the temptation to dig in and indulge.
Suggested supplies to bring:
Most Delegates bring their personal laptop computer. If you bring your laptop, you will need to bring your own appropriate electrical adaptor.
Sustainability:
- WFOT supports sustainable practices and asks that Delegates do not print the full Agenda, which may be over 500 pages. During the Council Meeting, the Agenda will be displayed on electronic screens via powerpoint presentations.
- It is tradition that Delegates bring small tokens/gifts from their Member Organisations to give to all seated at the Council Meeting table. The WFOT Secretariat can advise on the approximate numbers. WFOT requests that Delegates consider the environment in line with the WFOT Position Statement ‘Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Practice within Occupational Therapy on Sustainability’ when providing gifts.
Note
A Secretariat Office will be established at the Council Meeting, to support the Executive Management Team, and the operations of the Meeting. If printing and/or copying is required, the Delegate may be able to purchase these services at the venue Business Centre or nearby businesses.
Questions
Please direct questions to WFOT Executive Director Ritchard Ledgerd [email protected]