[fc-announce] update on HOTEL DEADLINE, travel and accommodations, CARNIVAL, and VISA REQUIREMENTS for FC07/USEC

[R. Hirschfeld]

To those planning to attend FC07/USEC next month in Tobago:

The Hilton has informed me that they have not yet released the block
reservation and that they still have about 15 rooms available.  They
will hold these rooms and honor the conference rates until 4pm AST
this coming Sunday, January 21.  At that time all rooms in the block
that have not been booked will be released, and the conference rate
will no longer be available.

For those arriving in POS too late for the last flight to TAB, I am
still looking into charter possibilities, but at the moment the best
solution seems to be overnighting at a guesthouse near the airport
called Leo's Place.  This can be arranged by a local DMC called Yes
Tourism, which can also arrange the Tobago Express flights and airport
transfers on both ends.  See http://www.yes-tourism.com/airbridge.htm
for more information, and http://www.mytobago.info/airtravel08.php for
a (sort-of) review of Leo's Place and alternatives.

Yes Tourism might also be a good resource for those not stuck
overnight in Trinidad, as they can book flights on Tobago Express and
handle payments more conveniently than directly with the airline.
They charge US $5 for this service.  In addition, they can arrange
budget accommodations in Tobago for attendees who cannot afford the
rates at the Hilton and Tobago Plantation.

The week after the conference is Carnival and many flights and hotel
rooms will be full--attendees who have not yet done so are advised to
book their travel and accommodations as soon as possible!

I've recently learned that due to the Cricket World Cup, the hosting
countries (including Trinidad and Tobago) will be considered a single
domestic space between February 1 and May 15, with a common visa
policy.  This policy applies to all visitors, not just those comming
for cricket.  Nationals of the US, Canada, South Africa, and certain
EU countries (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands,
and the UK) do not require visas, nor do nationals of the hosting
countries, but others will need a CARICOM Special Visa.  See
http://www.caricomimpacs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=33
for more information.

Rafael Hirschfeld
FC07 General Chair