Logistical preparations for Joburgs on track

Logistical preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August and September are advanced and on track, with most hotels almost fully booked, according to Johannesburg city manager Pascal Moloi.

"The preparation time for South Africa has had for this summit has been extremely tight, but nevertheless we are confident that all our arrangements are on track," Moloi said in a statement made available at the UN meeting here in Bali.

He noted that all major hotels were nearly full to capacity, having been set aside for heads of state and government delegations.

Nevertheless, smaller hotels and bed & breakfast establishments still had rooms available.

"We expect bookings for accommodation and airlines to fill up quickly as delegations finalize their plans after this preparatory committee (PrepCom) meeting in Bali," he said.

South Africa's destination management company established a stand at the Bali International Conference Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, where the PrepCom has been held for the past two weeks.

The stand also offered bookings for hotels and airlines for delegates planning to go to Johannesburg.

Moloi also said that plans for transportation of all delegates around the city of Johannesburg had been finalized. Using a zone system, delegates would be able to hop on and off the Johannesburg Summit mass transport system with ease.

A welcome card, costing US$60, will be available for purchase at Johannesburg International Airport, Ubuntu Village, the Sandton Convention Center and the Expo Center. It will offer unlimited travel to users of all mass transport systems from August 13 through September 8. --JP