The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like the Tabaski Festival of Sacrifice, has no specific length of time and can last 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free to Togo (tourists aged 18 and over): 10 packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 1 bottle of spirits and 1 bottle of wine; a bottle of eau de toilette and a bottle of perfume. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Togo
(with visa issue)
Rue de Lausanne 67-69
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 566 83 00.
http://www.ambassadedutogo.ch
http://www.ambassadedutogo.ch
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.30. Consular Dept.: Mon-Fri 09.30-12.30 and 15.00-17.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Togo
(Also responsible for Austria.)
Honorary Consulate General in Hanover. Honorary consulates without issuing a visa in Bonn, Bremen, Deidesheim and Pullach (near Munich).
Grabbeallee 43
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 49 90 89 68 or +49 (0)30 48 47 64 71.
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00. For visas and passports: Mon, Wed and Fri 10am-3pm.
Business
Business etiquette
Except for formal business meetings and social occasions, tropical attire is quite welcome. Business cards and appointments in advance are common. French is the language of business. Business hours: Mon-Fri 07.00-17.30.
Business contacts
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Togo (CCAIT) (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)Avenue Georges Pompidou, BP 360, LoméTel: 21 70 65.Internet: www.ccit.tg
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing. The national telephone company is called Togo Telecom (Internet: www.togotel.net.tg). International calls can easily be made from hotels. However, calls to post offices or public or commercial phone booths are cheaper.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Network operators are Togo Cell (Internet: www.togocel.tg) and Telecel Togo (Internet: www.telecel.tg). Togo Cell’s mobile network covers the whole country and Telecel Togo’s all major cities. There are roaming contracts with mobile phone companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among others. The mobile network based on a prepaid card is very well developed.
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, Internet provider is Togo Telecom (Internet: www.togotel.net.tg). Internet cafes are available nationwide.
Post office
Poste restante shipments are possible, the service is very reliable. Airmail shipments to Europe take up to two weeks. Postal traffic between Togo and Europe is relatively fast and takes only four to six days. The main post office is on Avenue de la Liberation, in the city center. There are also sub-offices everywhere. There is also a post office in every large town. The opening hours are Mon to Fri from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., Sat from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Postage stamps and mailboxes can be found in most large hotels.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
