Hyderabad to host of 78th World Congress, 2017 from 5-9th October 2017
Author(s): City Air NewsTourism Secretary B. Venkatesham, Sunita, Dr. Christina and Vijay Mohan Raj, Ajay Ramadugu seen at the press conference. Hyderabad, September 11, 2017... Hyderabad, India is the proud host of 78th World Congress,...
Hyderabad, September 11, 2017... Hyderabad, India is the proud host of 78th World Congress, 2017 to be held at HICC from 5-9th October 2017. SKAL is the world’s largest Travel Organization of Travel and Tourism Professionals founded in 1934. It is the only international group uniting all sectors of the travel and tourism. Telangana State Government is proud partner of this conferernce, informed B. Venkatesham, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Telangana while addressing a press conference here in Secretariat today along with Tourism and SKAL officials, Sunita M.Bhagwat, Commissioner of Tourism; Smt. Dr Christina Z.Chongthu, Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism; Vijay Mohan Raj, the host and the President of Skal Hyderabad Chapter; Raveesh, Dhave; Secretary of SKAL, Ajay Ramadugu; VP of SKAl and Sanchari Chowdhury, Anand Kulkarni and Hari Krishna Valmiki members of the SKAl.
The SKAL Congress is organised second time in India at Hyderabad from Otober 6 to 9 in parternship with Department of Tourism, Govt of Telangana and Minsitry of Tourism, Government of India.
The conference will held at the state-of-the-art convention center-HICC in Madhapur.
Skal is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. SKAL is not an abbreviation. SKAL in Spanish means Cheer.
The SKAL Congress is an excellent opportunity to showcase Hyderabad and other tourism important places in the state as the Destinations for the Tourists from across the world informed B. Venkatesham.
Currently 2.5 lakh foreign tourists arrive in the city and state every year. And we must take this number of 10 lakh by the year 2020. If we have to achieve that number we need to work towards the same. And the Congress offers an excellent opportunity to showcase the various tourist destinations in the state and tourism products, he informed.
The Who is who of the tourism industry of the world will be in the city. We must make use of its. This conference is coming to India after the gap of 14years. The earlier conference was held in Chennai in the year 2003. SKAL Hyderabad Chapter bagged the opportunity to host this prestigious conference against the stiff competition from Toronto, Copenhagen, Stavanger, Miami and Bangkok. Hyderabad won the bid by a whopping 136 votes as compared to its competitors to host this global meet in the Tourism Industry, informed B Venkatesham.
800 to 1000 delegates from 85 countries will participate in the congress informed B.Venkatesham. And added that the Telangana Government is committed for SKAL Congress.
Addressing the media Vijay Mohan Raj, the host and the President of SKAL Hyderabad, said the 78th Skal International Congress, is going to the significant milestone, which the youngest State of India, Telangana will be the proud host in October for five days. The Congress will be formally kicked off on 6th October
A top management specialist in India Prof. Himanshu Rai will be the celebrity speaker at the inaugural function. Another celebrity speaker Amitabh Kant, a renowned Travel Industry leader in specializing in Brand Management, Tourism Secretary, Govt of India will grace the inaugural.
All arms of the Tourism industry represent in SKAL. And it is a 80 plus years old body. It will be a game changer for Tourism Industry in India and Hyderabad, said Vijay. 70 to 80 top Tourism professionals including Tourism Minister from Kenya will participate along with a delegation.
It is Indo-US Tourism Year. During the congress 9 indian cities will enter twinning agreement with 12 cities USA, informed Vijay. The Twinning Ceremony will take place during the Congress with great celebration as this is the Indo US Tourism year. We are expecting large representation from each of the cities added Vijay Mohan Raj. Consul General Katherine B. Hadda, Consulate General of the United States, Hyderabad will lead the US Delegation, he informed.
Twinning is the tie up that will facilitate exchange of members program and encourage cultural programs , tourism between two cities added Vijay.
Addressing the gathering, Sunita M.Bhagwat, Commissioner of Tourism said we will showcase all our destinations including Hyderabad and Warangal as Heritage Cities. We will have a huge stall promoting various destinations in the state. We will also organise cultural programs. As this is a very important event, we will host state dinner as the government firmly believes that in Athithi Devobhava”, she informed.
Speaking further Sunitha added that they would showcase Telangana Cuisine—Biryani, Kebabs, Double Ka Metha etc and others.
Dr Christina Z.Chongthu said Skal World Congress is the quite prestigious global meet in Tourism Industry to be held in the city.
The delegates besides customary and traditional hospitality will be provided an opportunity to explore local cuisine—“Dine Around”, where the top restaurant in Hyderabad will host them. It will showcase opulent ambiance of the top restaurants in the city and will add the splendor that these fine dining establishments offer to ensure a most excellent evening. The restaurants chosen will have outstanding Nizami, Authentic Indian and International cuisine such as Chinese, Asian, Mexican, Italian which will be truly delectable to any palate. The delegates can select the restaurant of their choice around the city.
800 to 1000 who’s’-who of Tourism world from 85 countries. These Countries include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Red Sea Bay, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Venezuela, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile.
As the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry, Skal International promotes global tourism and friendship. Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
Founded in 1934, this 83 years old body is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world. It is the world’s largest Travel Organisation of Travel and Tourism Professionals. It is the only international group uniting all sectors of the travel and tourism. It has 20,000 members in 450 cities/clubs throughout 85 nations.
The Congress will stage the SKAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION which will be spread over 1455 square meters. It will be held in association with UBM India Pvt. Ltd. UBM is the largest Travel and Tourism exhibition company in Asia and is popularly known for staging the SATTE annual event at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi that has the participation of Destination Management Companies, Tourism Councils and Suppliers in the Travel and Tourism Companies across the Globe.
Skål Club of Delhi was the first Skål Club which was formed in India in February 1954. Skal Club of Hyderabad was formed in 1982. India has currently ten Skal Units/Clubs.