Venue
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Address: #1 Casino Drive P. O. Box N-4777
Paradise Island, Bahamas
Tel.: 1-242-363-3000
Website
http://www.atlantisbahamas.com Atlantis, Paradise Island - the most popular resort destination in the Bahamas - is the venue for the 2017 Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-17), organized by ITU and hosted by the Government of the Bahamas and the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) of the Bahamas from 11 to 14 July 2017. Atlantis boasts a world-class conference centre that can accommodate up to 4000 guests in comfortable venues and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. Atlantis also offers a multitude of unique accommodations, including the iconic Royal Towers and the stylish Cove Atlantis. Atlantis, Paradise Island features the world's largest open-air marine habitat. Paradise Island is located just off the northern side of Nassau, New Providence, which is the capital of the Bahamas. Paradise Island is a short 2 minute bridge ride from Nassau, which is just one of the 700 islands sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The archipelago is an ecological oasis featuring 2,000 breathtaking islands and cays and boasts the clearest water on the planet - with a visibility of over 200 feet. |
Entry requirements to the Bahamas
 Participants who require a visa to enter the Bahamas should apply for a visa at the nearest consulate or embassy of the Bahamas in their country. There are several Bahamas embassies and consulates around the world where you can apply for a Bahamas visa. In countries where the Bahamas has no diplomatic representation, visas are available through British consulates, embassies or high commissions. The requirements for the different countries may be found on the Bahamas official web page at: http://www.bahamas.com/entry-requirements. (Visa requirements country list) For current information on regulations for international travel, particularly for those travelling through the United States, please visit the following link: https://bs.usembassy.gov/ or the Travel Section of the US Customs and Border Protection Home Page at:
www.cbp.gov
For any further assistance regarding visas, please contact the visa focal point:
Ms Carolyn Conliffe
E-mail address: carolynconliffe@bahamas.gov.bs
Telephone: +1 242 502 0022 |
Getting to the Bahamas
Airlines
The Bahamas is served by all major North American air carriers and Bahamasair. Flights are available, for example, via hubs in the following countries: |
Arrival and transportation
 To and from Lynden Pindling InternationalAirport
Round trip airport transportation will be provided for all registered participants to official GSR-17 hotels only. Further details will be provided closer to the event.
Conference Shuttle Service
For all registered participants staying at official GSR-17 hotels only, a shuttle service will be provided to the conference venue during the entire event. Further details and schedules will be provided closer to the event.
Taxis
Taxis are located outside the airport/hotels and may also be hired by the hour. From the Nassau airport, taxi rates are approximately USD 27 to downtown Nassau (venue location), USD 18 to Cable Beach and USD 33 to Paradise Island (plus the bridge toll). Fares are based on two passengers; there is an additional charge for extra passengers and extra luggage. - Bahamas Taxi Cab Union: 1-242-323-5818
- Meter Cab: 1-242-323-5111(to 4)
Note
Paradise Island and Nassau are connected by a short bridge ride and Paradise Island is not accessible by public transportation. If you plan to stay in Nassau, you will need to take a taxi to and from Paradise Island. |
 Currency and exchange The Bahamian Dollar is the currency of Bahamas. Symbol: BSD$.
Minor unit: 1/100 = cent.
Coins: Frequently used: $1, $20, 1, 5, 25, 50.
Banknotes: Frequently used: $1, $2, $5,$10, $20,$50, $100.
The approximate exchange rate is:
USD 1 = BSD $1.00
EUR 1 = BSD $1.11030 (may vary) Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted at most locations on Nassau and Paradise Island. ATMs with PLUS and Cirrus can be found at banks on Nassau and Paradise Island and on most of the major Out Islands. Local commercial banks open from Monday to Thursday from 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. |
 Telecommunications The country code for the Bahamas is +1 242. Visitors and business travellers will find that telecommunication services in the Bahamas are comparable with the service found in most developed nations. A fully (100 per cent) digital switching system allows direct-distance dialling to more than 100 countries. The United States and Canada are a direct-dial away and most hotels provide direct-dialling service from guest rooms and/or the conference centre. For those who refuse to be unleashed from their cell phones, it is very easy to stay connected while visiting the Islands of the Bahamas. Local service providers have in place roaming agreements with 128 companies worldwide. To access the local GSM roaming system, simply turn on your phone and wait while it connects to the network. |
 Language English is the national language of the Bahamas and is intertwined with an appealing Bahamian dialect. |
 Local Time Standard Time Zone: UTC -5 hours.
Daylight Savings Time (DST) +1 hour.
Current Time Zone UTC -4 hours.
DST started on Sunday, 8 March, 2017 at 2 a.m. local standard time. DST ends on Sunday, 1 November, 2017 at 2 a.m. local daylight time. |
 Electricity The following plugs/sockets are used: electrical outlets in the Bahamas are 60 cycles/120 volts, which is compatible with all US appliances. British and European appliances require a flat two-pin adaptor and 220-volt converter. |
 Climate The climate in the Bahamas is sub-tropical. In the islands there are basically two seasons: wet and dry. Average temperatures range between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The wet season is from June through November which is also the hurricane season. The height of the tropical activity is traditionally between August and October. Brief heavy showers are common throughout the year. |
 Health Two hospitals are fully equipped to respond to emergency medical situations. Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctor's Hospital are both located in Nassau. - Doctors Hospital - 1-242-302-4600
- DHHS Ambulance - 1-242-302-4747
- Princess Margaret Hospital - 1-242-322-2861
- PMH Ambulance - 919, 911, 1-242-356-5448
|
 Vaccination requirements A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required from travelers over age one arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission or having transited for more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission; as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). For a full listing of countries required to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate for entry into the Bahamas kindly visit:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow- fever#4259 |
 Contact For any questions, please contact: Keva Robinson
Tel.: 1-242-396-5209
E-mail:
krobinson@urcabahamas.bs |
 Internet Connectivity Wireless access will be available at the meeting venue. |
