Skål International held a successful Mid-Year Meeting in Malaga, Spain
Skål International, the world's largest organization of travel and tourism professionals, successfully held its 2023 Executive Board and International Skål Council Mid-Year Meeting from 26 to 29 April in Malaga, Spain.
With its historic monuments and museums, stunning beaches and a lively atmosphere with numerous shops and restaurants, Malaga has become a reference point for international tourism.
Malaga is also home to the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía and a major European centre for the development of the digital sector and is in the spotlight of large technology companies such as Google which, in 2023, will open its Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity next to the port. This Andalusian city is also known for its Film Festival and its Holy Week, but above all, Malaga is a city full of passion and joy which makes it a unique place.
The Skål International gathering opened with the traditional Get-Together at the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio terrasse on Wednesday 26 April 2023, where attendees enjoyed breathtaking views of the cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Gibralfaro Castle and the city harbour. The welcome speech was given by Carmen Arjona of the Malaga City Townhall, followed by a warm greeting from José Luis Quintero, International Skål Councillor Spain, and Skål International President Juan I. Steta. Finally, the President of the International Skål Council, Julie Dabaly-Scott, welcomed all attendees. Skål members from Malaga-Costa del Sol, Madrid and Tenerife, were also in attendance.
The two-day meeting, held on Thursday and Friday 27 and 28 April 2023, brought together International Councillors from around the world to discuss strategies and guidelines for Skål International's future direction. The meeting also featured virtual participation through Zoom from several Councillors and Past-Presidents who could not attend in person. The Skål International Executive Board held its own meeting on Thursday 27 April and attended the joint Executive Board and International Skål Council plenary meeting on Friday 28 April 2023 during which each Director gave a brief summary of their portfolio activities. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the Mid-Year Meeting in Malaga", said Skål International President Juan I. Steta. “We were able to discuss crucial issues affecting the travel and tourism industry and work towards shaping Skål's future direction. We are grateful to all who attended and contributed to the success of the event".
The participants had the chance to visit the Skål International World Headquarters in Torremolinos at the close of the meeting days. They were able to witness the recent office refurbishment which reflects Skål International's new direction of modernity and dynamism. Following the visit to the General Secretariat, participants received a warm welcome at the Skål International Málaga-Costa del Sol Club house where they could interact with local and national members.
The highlight of the event was the International Skål Council President's Gala Dinner at the Gran Hotel Miramar Malaga, where attendees enjoyed a pleasant dinner in a unique setting, an event supported by Turismo Andalucia, who provided gift bags to the attendees. The evening featured speeches from the President of Skål International Malaga-Costa del Sol José María Callejón, Skål International President Juan I. Steta, and International Skål Council President Julie Dabaly-Scott. International Skål Councillor José Luis Quintero and the Skål International General Secretariat team were recognized for their efforts in the organisation of the Mid-Year meeting 2023.
A special moment of the evening was the presentation of a commemorative plaque and presidential banner to Skål International Honorary President, Antonio Garcia del Valle, for his 63 years of dedicated service to the organization, as well as the presentation of the presidential banner and a Tequila bottle by President Juan I. Steta to Skål International Spain President José Jorge Rodriguez Galván, Skål International Malaga-Costa del Sol President José María Callejón and Skål International Spain Councillor José Luis Quintero.
Friday 28 April was also the 89th anniversary of Skål International, and congratulation videos from each of the Executive Boad members were published on the association’s social media channels. Skål World Day culminated with the traditional Skål International Toast in the three official languages.