SKAL World Congress Concludes

Many foreign women delegates loved Indian wear, especially the saree
Hyderabad, October 9, 2017: Many foreign women delegates looked stunning in traditional Indian clothing. We love Indian wear, especially the saari said many delegates who came in saari in large numbers at the Presidential Dinner held on Sunday night at HICC

Many delegates were keen in exploring the city. They not only want to explore the tourist destinations in the city but also experience our culture, traditions, cuisines and many more said Harikishna Valmiki, one of the organizing members of the SKAL World Congress.

The newly elected world president from Finland Susanna Saari hosted a Presidential Dinner on Sunday which was a gala affair. Delegates in their best formal attires graced the occasion. The outgoing President David Fisher, felicitated members for their outstanding contribution.

The four day 78th SKAL World Congress held second time in India concluded this evening. The next SKAL World Congress will be held Mombasa in Kenya.

This is the second time SKAL World Congress is being held in India. This conference is coming to India after the gap of 14years. This first one, the 64th SKAL World Congress held in the year 2003 in Chennai.

The theme of the Congress is “Together We Can”. 600 delegates from 85 countries took part in this prestigious global meet in Tourism Industry.

Some of the countries from where the delegates are expected to come and participate include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA, Zimbabwe, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Columbia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and others.

70 to 80 top Tourism professionals including Tourism Minister from Kenya are participating. Australia and USA is represented by a large delegation at the meet

The Congress elected Susanna Saari from Finland elected as their new World President.

The SKAL World Congress launched the Young SKAL Hyderabad, the first such club in Telugu states.

During the Congress, 12 Indian cities (SKAL Chapters) twinned with 12 USA cities (SKAL Chapters). It is the first time any entire nation has fully twinned with another SKAL Nation. SKAL Club
Hyderabad twinned with SKAL Clubs in Sacramento and San Francisco.

2017 is the “Indo-US Tourism Year”. A large contingent from USA participated in the SKAL World Congress besides Australia, Mexico and many other countries.

During the fourdays, SKAL International Excellence Awards and Sustainable Tourism Awards were presented.

Speaking on the occasion of closing the SKAL World Congress Vijay Mohan Raj said through hosting SKAL Congress in Hyderabad "we brought World to Hyderabad, and made world to view Hyderabad.”

SKAL International 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. It is spread over 87 countries, has 17000 members in 382 clubs in 87 countries. It is the professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship informed Susanna Saari, newly elected SKAL International President.

The Congress staged the SKAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION which is spread over 1455 square meters. It is held in association with UBM India Pvt. Ltd. UBM is the largest Travel and Tourism exhibition company in Asia. The pillar-less exhibition space at HICC ensured that there is an adequate display of the tourist destinations of India and that of others across the globe.

30 exhibitors have put up the stalls. Two Telugu states besides many state government’s tourism departments such as Kerala, Gujarat Tourism, Union Tourism Ministry, Ramoji Film City, Ark Travels ( a Preferred Sales Agent for Star Cruises), Indigo Airlines, Oman Airlines, Akqua Sun Group( a global destination management company), Riya Travels and many Tour and Travel Operators, Prestigious Properties are showcasing their offerings in the exhibition.

The 78th SKAL Congress served well to the newly formed Telangana state to showcase its Tourism Destinations to the many foreign delegates.