BIR Convention Istanbul: Unprecedented registration rush creates bottleneck

An unprecedented registration rush for BIR’s upcoming Convention in Istanbul has created hotel room shortages and administrative backlogs with the conference organiser Arttours.

In the first 2 months after the opening of registrations, more than 700 delegates and 200 accompanying persons have confirmed their participation (for Gold Members, the participants list is already available on our website – Members Only pages, as of 15th May it will be available to everybody else).

The Convention hotel Swissôtel The Bosphorus was already fully booked at the end of February (see our news dated 4th March 2010) and in the meantime, the two supporting hotels recommended by BIR in the convention programme have now sold their special rate allotment as well.

This exceptionally high demand over a very short period of time created an unfortunate administrative backlog (double bookings, delay in bank transfer confirmation and credit card handling etc.) at the conference organiser Arttours, creating some confusion over hotel bookings. Over the last days, Arttours has progressively updated its files and will do its best to accommodate all requests.

Given this huge demand for hotel rooms, two additional hotels have made accommodation available:

• Istanbul Hilton Hotel (http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ISTHITW-Hilton-Istanbul/index.do)
• Conrad Hilton Hotel (http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.do?ctyhocn=ISTHCCI)

Both hotels are within 10 minutes by taxi from the Convention hotel.

Rooms must be booked through Arttours and not through the BIR Secretariat.

Please note that due to the Formula 1 car race taking place in Istanbul on Sunday, 31 May, the hotels will apply strict booking deadlines. Delegates and guests are requested to book their hotel promptly and give proof of payment to secure accommodation.