Please find below general information and useful resources to help make your stay in Goteborg a stunning success!
Congress Venue
Göteborg Convention Centre
Hotel Gothia Towers
Massans Gata 20
Box 5184
SE 40226 Goteborg
Sweden
Tel. +46 31 708 8800
Fax +46 31 750 8980
Website: www.gcc.se
The Göteborg Convention Centre is located in the heart of Göteborg, only a 20 minute by bus from Göteborg's Landvetter Airport. international airport. Many hotels and attractions are easily accessible by foot. The city boasts the largest tram network in Scandinavia, and the Paddan canal boats are ideal for visiting the city canals and harbors or for excursions to the picturesque Archipelago Islands.
Congress Dates and Provisional Opening Hours
Dates : From Sunday, June 21, 2009 to Thursday, June 25, 2009
Opening hours:
Sunday June 21 : 2 pm to 6 pm
Monday June 22 - Thursday June 25 : 8 am to 6 pm
Opening Ceremony: Sunday, June 21, 2009, at 6 pm
Closing Ceremony: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 5 pm
Official Airline Network
The Star Alliance™ Members are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for WAS 2009 and are offering discounts to all registered participants, plus one accompanying person travelling to Göteborg, Sweden.
To obtain the Star Alliance™ Conventions Plus discount, please contact your local Star Alliance Member and quote the following Event Code SK018S9
Booking office information can be found at: www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus.
WELCOME TO GÖTEBORG!
Göteborg, also known as 'Little London,' is a city of contrasts, combining the charm of century-old buildings and stunning examples of modern architecture, a small town feel and the bustle of a trendy modern city. Set on the Baltic Sea at the outlet of the Göta River, traversed by 17th century canals, today Göteborg is the largest harbor in Scandinavia and offers everything you would expect to find in a large city: cultural events, historical landmarks, beautiful parks, fine restaurants, shopping and entertainment - with most attractions within walking distance or easily reached by tram.
Traveling to Göteborg
Göteborg's airports are served by around 50 airlines and are conveniently located near the city center. There are daily direct flights from most major European cities, while international flights generally stop over at major hubs such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Copenhagen.
Details on flights, trains and ferries are available through the following link:
http://www.goteborg.com/templates/Page.aspx?id=9769
Population
In 2006, the city counted nearly 490,000 inhabitants, with 880,000 people living in the greater city area. Göteborg also counts 61,000 students, the largest student population in Sweden.
Climate
Göteborg's weather is influenced by the Gulf Stream. The average daytime temperature in June is around 20°C. June 21st is Midsummer with 16 hours of daylight, generally celebrated with dancing, music and fireworks.
Language
Swedish is the national language. Most Swedes speak fluent English.
Currency
Swedish Krona (SEK). 1 Euro = approximately 9.4 SEK; $1.00 = approximately 6.4 SEK.
Need a currency conversion? Click here: http://www.oanda.com.
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Main attractions
Restaurants
Some of the most famous Swedish chefs are to be found in Göteborg, and it is here one finds the highest number of first-class restaurants per capita in the whole of Scandinavia, including five Michelin-star establishments. The main culinary attraction in Göteborg is the local seafood; prawns, lobster and a wide selection of fish, ranked amongst the finest in the world. The city also counts many superb restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, at reasonable prices.
Shopping
In the heart of the city, you will find everything from fashionable boutiques and department stores to picturesque markets selling crafts, souvenirs and antiques, all located within easy walking distance. Browse through modern warehouses, specialist shops, pedestrian areas, galleries and arcades, guaranteed to make shopping in Göteborg a memorable experience!
Music
Göteborg Opera House: Completed in 1994, one of the most modern opera and concert houses in the world.http://www.opera.se
Göteborg Concert Hall: Noted for its fine acoustics and home to Sweden's national orchestra, the Göteborg Symphony Orchestra.
http://www10.goteborg.se/english/index_cityhall_concert.htm
Museums
Göteborg Art Museum: A world-class collection of classical and contemporary Scandinavian art.
http://www.konstmuseum.goteborg.se/
Göteborg City Museum: Located in the historic 19th century East India Company building, spans the city's history from prehistoric times to present.
http://www.stadsmuseum.goteborg.se/
Universeum Science Center, focusing on the environment, houses an indoor rainforest! http://www.universeum.se/
Museum of World Culture: A contemporary approach to ethnology and anthropology.
http://www.varldskulturmuseet.se
The Röhsska Museum of Design and Decorative Arts: Founded in the early 20th century through donations from the family of the same name, houses collections of Nordic and European traditional handicraft and contemporary design.
http://www.lammgard.se/designmuseum/infoeng.htm
Outdoor attractions and tours
Liseberg Amusement Park is the largest amusement park in Scandinavia, with 3 million visitors per year. Voted one of the top ten amusement parks in the world by Forbes Magazine. http://www.liseberg.com
Southern Archipelago
Thousands of islands lie scattered along the western coast of Sweden extending all the way to Oslo, Norway. Explore some of the many picturesque, car-free islands and charming little fishing villages. Boats leave from the "Saltholmen" tram stop for the same price as a tram ride, excursions from the Lilla Bommen Harbour in the city center.
The Paddan boats are ideal for cruising the city canals and harbor, or for excursions to local sights and to the Archipelago islands. http://www.paddan.com/EN/
Historical Monuments include the Skansen Kronan 17th century fortress, the Gothenburg Cathedral, the 17th century Crown House and the Oscar Fredrik Church. The Haga district has many picturesque wooden houses from the 19th century.
The Gothenburg Botanical Gardens - 430 acres including an arboretum, a rock garden, the Rododendrum Valley, the Japanese Glade, the greenhouse featuring 1,500 orchids, and rare plants such as the Easter Island Tree. Free entrance, except for the greenhouse. http://w3.goteborg.se/botaniska/engelska/english_start.html
Golf Courses
The golfing season is long, thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream and there are over 30 golf courses in and around Göteborg to choose from, including pay-and-play courses.
World Heritage Sites
A World heritage site is a place, site, environment, or object which provides unique testimony to the history of the earth and of mankind. Thirteen Swedish sites are inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List and are guaranteed protection and care for all time. Among these are the Vitlycke Rock Carvings, situated only a two-hour drive from Göteborg.
Visas
General information on visitors' visas is available at Swedish Consular offices, and at the following website: www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2059.
As a member of the Schengen Agreement, Business Visitors may enter Sweden without inspection once initial entry has been made. The member countries of the Schengen Agreement include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Visitors to these countries who are not exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa should obtain a Schengen Visa when traveling for Business purposes.
The maximum validity of an "Schengen Visa" is 90 days within a "given" 180-day period.
For further information:
http://www.goteborg.com
turistinfo@goteborg.com
