Vancouver information
Activities & Tours
If you wish to book in advance, would like to have information about options for Tours and Activities or would like to discover Vancouver, the area or British Columbia, consult the following website:
Tourism Vancouver
Destination British Columbia
Banks
Tourists visiting Vancouver are able to use their credit and debit cards at ATMs, which can be found almost everywhere, providing a convenient way to exchange currency. Most banks in Vancouver are open between Monday and Friday, although their opening hours are slightly shorter than regular shops and stores in Ottawa. Some banks are open later or on weekends or Thursday evenings.
Climate
Summers in Vancouver are warm and comfortable, with temperatures lingering just above 20 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit). Evenings can be cool; so don’t forget to pack a light jacket or sweater.
Languages
The official language of the Annual Meeting will be English. We do not foresee simultaneous translation.
Liability
The Canadian Urological Association, its Organizing Committees and Professional Congress Organizer shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered participants of the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Tourist Information Centres
Hours of Operation
9:00am-5:00pm daily; Closed December 25th, 26th, & January 1st
Location
Downtown Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre
200 Burrard St
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 3L6
Tel: 604.683.2000 (voicemail inquiries will be personally returned within 24 hours)
Fax: 604.682.6839
Email: VisitVancouver@tourismvancouver.com
Sales Taxes
Goods and Services
British Columbia has a 12% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) that combines PST (Provincial Sales Tax of 7%) and GST (Goods and Services Tax of 5%). This tax is applicable to most goods, purchased gifts, food/beverages and services in British Columbia
Accommodations
The Westin Bayshore Vancouver has a Hotel Room Tax (HRT) of 2.24 % and a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) of 1.5%
Tipping
Some hotels include tips or gratuities with group programs to simplify bookkeeping. This usually includes gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. In a hotel, bell service should be tipped about $1 per bag, and housekeeping $1 to $5 dollars a day (in proportion to your room rate). Visitors should know that the standard tip in restaurants is 15% (on restaurant bills, an average tip will match the HST), with 20% for very outstanding service. Tip taxis about 10%, and a dollar a bag they carry for you (not just unload), or at the very least round fares up to the nearest dollar. Tipping is customary in bars, restaurants, salons/spa and taxis.