Skål International Asian Area February News

Skål International Colombo

Dinushka Chandrasena – Editor Travel Talk Asia voted as one of The 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry.

Eventex Awards just released a new addition to their All-stars Index– The 100 Most Influential People in The Event Industry and amongst them is Dinushka Chandrasena, Managing Editor of Travel Talk Asia from Sri Lanka.

The list features the 100 people who have influenced the event industry the most with their creativity, vision and capacity for innovation, as voted by the public. Going onwards, it is to be updated annually.

“This list aims to recognize the driving force behind the event industry – its people! The visionaries, innovators, trend-setters and luminaries, everyone that pushes the industry forward and makes the events world more vibrant, exciting and awe-inspiring”, explains Ovanes Ovanessian, Co-founder of Eventex Awards.

750 event industry professionals were nominated by the public for a chance to make it to the top 100. The final list was decided again via public voting, powered by the awards management platform Evalato where everyone had the opportunity to vote for up to 10 nominees. Over 14200 people voted for the people they consider most influential – the ones that got the most votes were included in the prestigious top 100 list in alphabetical order.

Annual sports day

SKAL International Chennai annual sports day was held at MGM Beach Resort, Muttukadu on Sunday 19th January 2020. It was well attended by over 70 members and family.

Annual CSR event ‘Skål Cares’

Our annual CSR event ‘Skål Cares’ was held on 27th September 2019 at Hotel Savera, Chennai.

Skålleagues from the hotel trade went all out to give good number of vouchers towards meal and stay. These vouchers received good bids from Skålleagues from the travel trade. We collected close to ₹ 2,29,650 through auction of these vouchers. Our travel trade friends, apart from bidding for the vouchers also pooled in funds to the tune of ₹ 1,11,000. The total collection was close to ₹ 3,40,650.

We identified Shirdi Sai Karunai Illam, Anakaputhur, Chennai as this year’s beneficiary, the funds collected will be utilized towards the construction of 6 toilets and 2 wash rooms in their old age home.

On 14th January 2020, we invited members from travel trade and Mrs. Jayachitra, Founder & Manager of Shirdi Sai Karunai Illam to Hotel Residency Towers, Chennai and handed over the contributions to her.

Sharing a few photos taken on that occasion:

Skål International Mumbai South

Skål International Mumbai South - 732, celebrated their 1st Anniversary on the first day of the OTM in JW Marriot's ORB, at Play the Lounge. Over 150 members including potential new members, dignitaries and guests, as well as visiting Skålleagues from several clubs in India and some of our sister club 144 members attended the grand evening. Oman Air were our platinum sponsors. Our President Kuldeep Bhartee, VP Hotel Operations ITC Hotels, welcomed National President Ranjini Nambiar. Our distinguished chief guest Mr. Harris Theocharis, Greece Tourism Minister was introduced to all present including Mr. Dionyssios Kyvetos, Ambassador of Greece to India, Joseph Kabekaza, First Counsellor High Commission of Rwanda, 2nd Counsellor, Mucyo Rutishisha and Venkatesan Dhattareyan, Regional Director (West & Central India) Govt. of India Tourist office.

All of them were felicitated with traditional Indian ethnic gifts and each of them addressed the attendees. Our first Anniversary cake was cut by The Tourism Minister for Greece along with our National President and it was an excellent networking evening among our members and guests. Our special thanks to Mr. Aaron Clement from Greece DMC for his assistance with the event. Many thanks to Avion Hotel, Auto Riders, Indigo Airlines, for the lovely vouchers and goody bags they provided, which were given away through a lucky dip. The food and service added to the awesome environment. It was yet another most successful and enjoyable networking event.

Sail away - carbon neutral ecological nautical tours in Krabi

Krabi in Southern Thailand has become the favourite destination to explore the Islands of the Andaman Sea.

By Wolfgang Grimm

The latest ecological attraction is cruising carbon neutral around the islands on a 113-year old schooner.

The cruises have been developed by Krabi Eco Cruises a joint ecological tourism initiative of two Skalleagues of the Skål Club Krabi.

Departing Klong Muang marina at 2.30pm we cruised to Hong Island, a beauty and circumnavigated the internal lagoon by tender. Great photo-opportunities on one of the area’s unique marine wonders.

Then we were invited to lend a hand to setting sails like 100-years ago. A man’s job but also attended by one lady to be politically correct.

Passing Ko Lading, also called Paradise Beach, we witnessed how couples young and old felt truly connected away from mainstream tourism.

Arriving at Koh Takiab Islands, connected by a beach at low tide, it was time to jump into the ocean for a swim, visiting the island and adjoining Cliff for a snorkel.

At 4.30pm the Sky became a pastel coloured canvas reminding us to return to the yacht for dinner.

President Wolfgang had started to fill glasses with French Sparkling and we cheered the Asian world of Skål with our traditional Skål toast in Swedish, English and Thai wishing all a peaceful, healthy and happy 2020.

As most Skål events have a business component we recalled our achievements of 2019. Namely:

Conducted 2 months English conversion classes for 85 students at Krabi Sport University.
Participated in the Hotel Association annual showcase, cooking competition, annual Jazz Festival and Krabi Hoteliers Association annual football and sport tournament.
Conducted a plastic free campaign providing contacts of suppliers to avoid single use plastic and invited guest speakers on relevant tourism subjects every third dinner meeting.
Supported Krabi Trash Heroes in switching plastic to steel bottles and open new refill stations.
Supported Krabi Tourism Association with advice on global marketing at ITB Berlin 2020 and supported the 2020 Skål Asia Congress Phuket 25-28 June inviting delegates to also enjoy 2 extra nights in Krabi.

The finale of our sail away was a Thai Tapas dinner, a symphony of different Thai specialities prepared by the local cooks of Thalane. Complimented by wines, beer and softer drinks the mood was set to perfectly enjoy a hero sunset. Sailing parallel to the sunset for one hour it dawned on all of us that we all have to ensure that we must take care of our wonderful planet for our children and future generations to come.

Arriving at the pier we were sure that this kind of carbon neutral tourism will never hurt our spectacular Krabi home. Three cheers to Skål Krabi entrepreneurs to add value to tourism.

Ecologically Yours,

Wolfgang Grimm

President Skål International Krabi & Thailand

Skål International Taipei new President Johnny Tsai

Krabi Eco Cruises and Skål International.

Nepal is proudly featured as ‘Destination of the year 2020’ in Skål International

Nepal is proudly featured as ‘Destination of the year 2020’ in Skål International, reaching to the wider tourism counterparts scattered across the globe. In its official website, Nepal is marked as most sought-after destination and highlights the best travel experience we offer to our global visitors.

To promote the spirit of tourism festivity, Skål International Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board jointly organized a Car Rally from 06 to 08 Dec 2019. The Rally covered three most loved destination Kathmandu–Chitwan -Pokhara also known as Golden Triangles domestic tourism. En-route, Skål Nepal members also met the local tourism entrepreneurs for inclusive interaction and experienced sharing.

Skål International Nepal distributed jackets to the children in Chitwan and also donated five good quality dual steel dust bins in one of the most popular temple (Taal Barahi Temple) in Pokhara.

Road travel in Nepal is the most cherished journey as it directly touches the lives of our residents and directly impacts the socio-economic of our citizens. It’s the best way to experience country’s social diversity, to touch the hills terrains up and lowlands while moving through endless stretches of greenery and flowing rivers.

There were 30 Skål Members participating in the car rally, travelling in their own vehicle to celebrate Tourism.

Thanks/regards,

Kalpana Shrestha

Secretariat office

Skål Club of Nepal

Skål International Delhi hosts a special monthly meet

Skål Delhi held its monthly dinner meet at Sampan-The Suryaa Hotel on 8th January 2020. The event was attended by more than 180 Skål International members and guests, who were welcomed by The Suryaa team with overwhelming warmth and hospitality.

The evening event was a special one as the Skål International Delhi President Sk. Greesh Bindra extended special invitation to all the visiting Skålleagues who were in the National Capital to attend SATTE 2020 and played a very gracious host the entire evening.

The evening saw amongst the attendee’s dignitaries from Skål International, Skål International Asia and Skål International India as well as members from Skål International Kashmir, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru.

The Hony. Secretary, welcomed all the members and guests present on the occasion. The members present were also informed about the upcoming Skål International Delhi events, especially the Skål Ball 2020 to be held on 29th Feb 2020 at Le Meridien, New Delhi.

Addressing the members, Skål International Asia's President Sk. Sanjay Datta asked the members to register for Skål International Asia Congress, Phuket to be held on 25th-28th June 2020 and participate in the event in large numbers.

Speaking on the occasion, Sk. Vijay Mohan Raj, Director, Skål International, updated the members about the latest travel industry trends and shared key data points on the same.

Sk. Vaz- Sr. Vice President, Skål International India informed the members about upcoming Skål International National Congress in April and asked them to be present there in large numbers.

All the dignitaries and members present on the occasion raised the Skål Toast and proceeded for the dinner. Members and guests enjoyed the Pan Asian gastro journey of delectable flavours in eye-catching aesthetics at Sampan. The Suryaa team went an extra mile to make the occasion an unforgettable experience for the members and guests.

This memorable evening will definitely stay in the hearts of all members for a long time!

2020 Asia Film Festival

BANGKOK

The 2nd Asia Destination Film Forum held yesterday in Bangkok proved that interest in the art form had a wide audience throughout Asia.

Bangkok Skålleagues took part in the Film Forum and all SKÅL members were offered generous discounts to attend the day long festival. Director of Young Skål Bangkok, Dr Scott Smith and Skål Bangkok President Andrew J Wood were both members of the judging panel for the film awards.

The Forum took place at Quaint in Bangkok’s trendy neighbourhood district of Thonglor/Ekkamai. An interesting venue, Quaint was an inspired choice, an eclectic mix of house, warehouse and outdoor courtyard with a 19th-century barn like movie set.

Skålleague Valmiki Hari Kishan appraised His Excellency Jurin Laksanawisit Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand

Bangkok Skålleagues at the 2020 Asia Film Festival with a Mongolian representative. SKÅL BKK members back row (l-r) Dir of YS Dr Scott Smith, Dir Events Pichai Visutriratana and President Andrew J Wood.

Skål International Goa

Skål Club ff Goa organized a Session on Entrepreneurship for Young Skål Goa Members at Institute Of Hotel Management, Porvorim, Goa on Thursday 30th January 2020. The Session was conducted by enterprising Skålleague Mark Mendes. It was a wonderful walk through based on his personal experiences through life & different business entities that he was associated with in his line of business.

Mr. Abdulla Cankaiya of Pegas a Turkish Tour Operating Company working in the Russian Market a major in getting Charters Guests to Goa addressed the gathering of Young Skålleagues & spoke about his start as a student of Hotel Management Institute in Turkey & mapped his route through life to his present position with Pegas. He advised them that they should be in this field only if they like what they are doing from the heart & that means working with people - guests, colleagues, superiors & subordinates & getting along & getting jobs done. One needs to be compassionate & offer services with a smile be it in the Hotels, Restaurants or Travel business.

Mr. Deepak Deva CEO of TCI India, Distant Frontiers & Go Vacations addressed the Young Skål Goa Members & encouraged the Young Skålleagues in taking up challenges & moving forward being focused on Quality of Services offered to all. Spoke about his journey from the time he completed his Hotel Management & appeared for an interview with Oberoi Hotels & his pursuit in the Travel business thereafter.