Welcome to Jamaica!
Dear Participants, please find below all the logistical information you will need in order to prepare your travels to and within Jamaica and your participation at the 10th GFRAS Annual Meeting.
We encourage you to start early with the preparations in order to save costs, but also to ensure that the visa to Jamaica can be issued in time.
Once you have confirmed your flight details, but latest by 16 August we kindly request you to fill the logistical arrangement form which will enable us to organise your airport pick-up, shuttle services between airport, venue and accommodation, and other logistical services.
For detailed and up-to-date logistical information, please refer to this logistical information compilation:
It contains practical information for your stay in Jamaica.
For any further questions concerning general meeting logistics and program, contact Florian Rudaz at the GFRAS Secretariat via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meeting Venue
Meeting Venue
The entire meeting will take place at Royalton Luxury Resort Hotel, Norman Manley Boulevard Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica. This is an all-inclusive resort on the beach, where all meals and beverages are already included in the cost of accommodation
Getting to and Away from Negril
Flight to Jamaica
The closest international airport to the meeting venue is the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Driving time from the Airport to the point of meeting is approximately 1.5 hour and at a distance of 72km. Participants are requested to organise themselves their travel from their home countries to Sangster International Airport and their entry visa to Jamaica, whenever necessary.
Shuttles
Sangster International Airport to Jeonju
Transportation to the venue will be provided at the Airport by the organizing team at the participants’ expense. The associated cost is US$50 return fee to be paid in full upon arrival.
The shuttles will operate to transport participants between Sangster International Airport and Royalton Hotel Negril according to participants’ flight schedules to Jamaica. All participants are strongly recommended to take the shuttles provided by the organizing team.
Visa and Travel Documents
Visa and Travel Documents
Kindly note that participants from some countries will need a visa to enter Jamaica. It is highly recommended to apply for a visa as soon as the confirmation of participation is received, as the visa issuance might take some time.
Visa procedures and required documents will vary depending on the country and applicant’s status in his/her country.
Commonly Required Documents
Make sure you bring all necessary documents to obtain a visa, including particularly:
- 1 original and 1 copy of your Passport (valid until at least 6 months after your visit)
- Application form
- 2 colored photos (taken within 6 months and with a white background)
- Visa fee (differs depending on the region)
- Invitation letter (received from GFRAS and RDA)
Please find more information on visa process here.
Accommodation and Meals in Negril
Accommodation and meals in Negril
Accommodation in Negril
The organizing team has blocked rooms for all GFRAS Annual Meeting participants at Royalton Hotel, Negril.
Participants are encouraged to book their accommodation early and payment should be done by 30 August in order to ensure the negotiated fee. Accommodation is available in double or single rooms. Please complete the accommodation information section on the logistical arrangement form in order to identify who and how many will stay at Royalton Negril, for how long, and whether you would like to request a single or double occupancy room. We strongly recommend you to stay at the Royalton Hotel as staying at an off-site location would generate additional fees to access the venue, to be covered by each participant staying off-site.
The hotel fees, specially negotiated for the Annual Meeting – with all meals and beverages included – are as follows:
- Price per day, per person staying in a single room: USD 224
- Price per day, per person staying in a double room: USD 149
In case you would like to request a double room, kindly indicate your preference in the logistical arrangement form. GFRAS will accommodate participants per gender except participants indicate any other specific requests upon filling in the information sheet.
Meals
Participants staying at the Royalton Negril have all meals and beverages included in the cost of accommodation.
Meeting Details
Meeting details
Registration and payment of registration fees
The registration fee is set USD 300 for countries in Group A and USD 200 for countries in Group B (details of the meeting costs can be found here). Students coming from any of such groups have their registration fee set at USD 200. Please pay your registration fee in advance (bank transfer) upon confirmation of your participation at the GFRAS Annual Meeting, or pay cash, in USD ONLY at the registration desk at the venue. You find the payment details by clicking here.
If you want to pay in cash, please make sure to bring USD with you, as it is the only currency that will be accepted at registration.
Language
The working language of the meeting will be English.
Market Place
Participants who have announced that they want to have a market place stand will have the possibility to prepare the stands from Sunday 29 September, 9:00am to Monday 30 September 9:00 am. The market place will be opened on Monday, 30 September 2019 at 10:00 am.
GFRAS provides the space for the stand at no additional cost. Organizers of the market place, however, are responsible for bringing their own material – including computers, brochures and/or booklets, and for setting up their booths. Some support might be available in case technical issues arise.
Registration for parallel sessions
Participants will receive instructions by the moderators during the meeting on registration procedures for the parallel sessions on Tuesday, 1 October and field trips on Wednesday, 2 October.
Field trips
Shuttles will be used to transport participants of the GFRAS meeting to the field trips on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from Royalton, Negril to fields. (Participants will be transported from Royalton Negril to possible venues commencing at 9:00 am sharp on that day.) Four courses are available, and there will be a limited number of participants per field trip.
Please note that due to logistical reasons and spaces available in the buses, the field trip registration is final and cannot be changed.
- Field Trip Option #1: Agro-processing and crop production
- Field Trip Option #2: Farmers’ Group
- Field Trip Option #3: Agricultural Education & Livestock Production
- Field Trip Option #4: Agro-Parks and Extension Services
More information on the field trips will constantly be uploaded to the GFRAS meeting webpage.
Other Inputs and Presentations
Input providers will be contacted by the GFRAS Secretariat for the planning of their input. The final timetable with all presentations will be included in the meeting programme.
Side Events
Side events will be confirmed to the organisers separately.
Meeting Secretariat
A separate office for the Secretariat will operate at the venue.
The meeting secretariat at Royalton Negril will provide support for any kind of request. During the night or if not occupied, a phone number for emergencies will be indicated.
The information desk at the venue will be manned during breaks for enquiries for the whole conference.
Further important numbers will be provided in the meeting brochure which participants will receive at registration.
Practical Information
Practical Information for Jamaica
Money
The official currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar. It is denominated in 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50 and coins. Also acceptable currency in Jamaica is the US and Canadian Dollars, the Pound Sterling and the Euro,
Credit cards such as VISA and Master Card is possible to be used at most places and fees may be incurred for the process, but please seek confirmation from your credit card company that it can be used in Jamaica.
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for their own health and accident insurance coverage.
Smoking and recreational drugs
Kindly note that smoking is allowed only in smoking areas and recreational drugs are not permitted in Jamaica.
Possessing, smoking or taking into all kind of drugs is restricted in Jamaica.
Water
While it is recommended to drink bottled or mineral water, drinking tap water is okay.
Medications
Please see the visa requirements as it relates to vaccination of participants.
Please make sure you carry with you the prescriptions and a note from your physician for any medication you may require.
Security
Jamaica’s meeting venues are properly secured. However, it is advised to take the following general safety precautions:
- Leave your valuables safely stored at the hotel and only carry small amounts of money;
- Don’t leave your bags or electronic devices unattended even in the venue;
- Be careful when using credit cards;
Only use recognized taxi services; or ask the hotel reception or the meeting secretariat for assistance when booking one;
For Emergencies
- Ambulance and Fire Stations: 110
- Police: 119
For the meeting, a simplified medical facility for first-aid with general physicians will run at the venue.
Electricity
Standard Voltage: 110 V
Standard Frequency: 50 Hz
Power Sockets types: A and B
The outlet has 2 flat and 1 round holes. Please bring a multi-voltage travel adapter with you.
Expected Weather Conditions
Fall in Jamaica is a great time to enjoy the island. Cool breeze blows in the fall, the sky is high and clear, and fine weather goes on for days. It is recommended to bring lightweight jackets, cotton clothes or canvas and light shoes. Kindly note bring a(n) raincoat/umbrella just in case, and particularly to the field trip. Please refer to the expected weather during the meeting below:
|
October |
Minimum |
Maximum |
Average Temp |
Rainfall |
|
24°C / 75°F |
30°C /86°F |
27°C /81°F |
130 |
Tourist Attractions in and around Negril
Many attractions are located in Negril. Jamaica attracted over 4.3 million visitors in 2018 and Negril is ranked as one of Jamaica’s most popular destinations for domestic travellers. Renowned for its seven miles white sand beaches, shallow bays with calm turquoise waters, Negril is a breath-taking international gem. Ricks’ Café, Margaritaville, and Mayfield Falls are just a few of the amazing attractions to be found in Negril Jamaica. As you experience the venues, capture the taste of the finest Jamaican jerk, rum and red stripe beer.
Soon, a document with suggestions on nearby attractions and information on places to go and see will be made available for participants.