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Skal International

New Leadership at Skal International to Act on Industry Challenges

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New Leadership at Skal International to Act on Industry Challenges - TRAVELINDEXMalaga, Spain, February 7, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Skal International Executive Board Members met in Little Rock, AR, on January 26, 2022, to conduct their first Executive Board meeting and held three-day meeting sessions working on the strategic plan for 2022.

Skal International has had a new leadership since January 01, 2022. The new leadership was elected by the membership on December 20, 2022. The elections for the 2022 board have been conducted via election buddy with a record-high number of delegations. Skal International membership elected Burcin Turkkan, the senior VP of 2021, as the new Skal International World President. Burcin Turkkan is the first female executive elected on the SI EB representing the USA. She is also the youngest female World President Skal International has ever elected since 1934.

Skal International membership also elected the other executive board members in the following order: Juan Steta – Senior VP from Mexico; Marja Eela-Kaskinen, Director from Finland; Annette Cardenas, Director from Panama; Denise Scrafton, Director from Australia. In addition to SI EC members, the SI EB has the ISC President Julie Dabaly, from Kenya, interim Vice President Hulya Aslantas from Turkey, and the CEO Daniela Otero, from Spain on the Executive board.

‘I am honored for being elected as the World President by the membership of Skal International. The pandemic has taken a big toll on the travel and tourism industry globally. Representing 40 categories within the industry with over 12,500 members around the globe, in 2022, Skal International is looking to take on the global issues our members and the challenges industry is facing, working together with global organizations and NGOs. Skal international is ready to increase global partnerships and work actively with partners on executing projects, said Turkkan, World President 2022, Skal International.

Thirty days in office, President Turkkan initiated 8 Committees to address industry challenges and global issues, grow membership, increase visibility, and support the Skal International Executive Board in achieving the set goals for 2022. Members in the organization are invited to volunteer in these Committees with the Presidential Theme set for the year: “We are Stronger Together as One. ‘As being an organization with 88 years of history, we are looking into restructuring and the modernization of the governance, better fiscal and financial policies along with strategic growth of membership globally.’ Added Turkkan, World President 2022, Skal International.

About Skal International
Founded in 1934, Skal International is the largest tourism association globally and the only one representing all sectors of the Tourism Industry. With headquarters based in Torremolinos, Spain, Skal has membership on every continent globally with 320 clubs across 98 countries and over 12,500 professional Manager and Executive members. Most of the largest Tourism Companies in the world are members of Skal.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Skål International Sustainable Awards 2021

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Skål International Sustainable Awards 2021

Malaga, Spain, December 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The announcement of the Sustainable Tourism Awards winners edition has taken place during the virtual Annual General Assembly of Skål International.

The Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards, launched in 2002, are geared towards enhancing the visibility and grant recognition to entities from the Travel and Tourism industry.

Our appreciation goes to Biosphere Tourism and the Responsible Tourism Institute for their continuous cooperation in the frame of these Awards for third consecutive year. This year, they have exceptionally granted two Skål Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Special Awards instead of one.

WINNERS OF THE 2021 SKÅL INTERNATIONAL

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARDS
– COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PROJECTS: Servicios Ecoturísticos El Jorullo, Mexico.
– COUNTRYSIDE AND BIODIVERSITY: Chai Lai Orchid, Thailand.
– EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND MEDIA: Tourism Industry Aotearoa, New Zealand.
– MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: The Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
– MARINE AND COASTAL: Six Senses Laamu, The Maldives.
– RURAL ACCOMMODATION: Sardegna Grand Hotel Terme, Italy.
– TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS: City Sightseeing, South Africa.
– URBAN ACCOMMODATION: The Grand Hotel, Sri Lanka.

WINNERS OF THE 2021 SKÅL BIOSPHERE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE SPECIAL AWARDS
– The Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
– Chai Lai Orchid, Thailand.

The independent jury has been made up by three prominent and distinguished personalities who have acted in representation of internationally recognized entities. They have evaluated the 50 entries received based on leadership criteria in sustainability that encompass tangible, measurable benefits to the environment, enhance business, and the society and communities in which they operate. (View the full participants list here).

Skål International would like to thank all the entities presented to these awards for their participation, as well as give sincere congratulations to all the winners in this edition which is being held in a year of challenges, in which the fight for the restoration of Tourism at a global level must be the priority of all of us who are part of the industry.

About Skål International
Skål International is the world’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1934. Its members are Directors and Executives of the Tourism sector who relate to each other to address common interest issues, improve a business network, and promote destinations. For more information about Skål International and membership, please visit skal.org.

About Biosphere Tourism: Biosphere Tourism develops certifications to guarantee compliance with the principles of sustainability and continuous improvement, through a private, voluntary and independent certification system. This certification guarantees an adequate long-term balance between the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of a destination, reporting significant benefits for the entity itself, society and the environment. Biosphere Sustainable presents a methodology and digital platform suitable for more than 27 different types of business.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Skål International Partners with WTTC on Safe Travels Stamp

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Skål International Partners with WTTC on Safe Travels Stamp

Malaga, Spain, July 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Skål International has become an official member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Associate Community. Skål International has been working closely with WTTC since early 2020, when the Covid 19 pandemic hit the world.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. WTTC promotes sustainable growth for the Travel & Tourism sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, drive exports and generate prosperity. Council Members are the Chairs, Presidents, and Chief Executives of the world’s leading private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. The World Travel & Tourism Council of 2020 is an organization that has developed enormously since its inception, yet it still holds the same core values and purpose. WTTC’s Members remain the driving force behind its activities and policies.

“The current situation presents challenges that require all our collective energy. In this context, alliances between organizations are also crucial to building the necessary significant social pact. Building bridges is fundamental, and collaborations are the cornerstone to foster understanding and broad consensus. For this reason, Skal International continues to strengthen ties and promote joint work with prominent organizations in the sector to reconstruct the tourism industry. In addition to our ongoing work with the UNWTO, we have recently formalized a new alliance with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). We are now an associate member of WTTC. We have recently endorsed the Supporting Women in Travel & Tourism initiative, a document that recognizes the contribution of women around the world and the importance of an equitable environment for women to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.” Said Daniela Otero, CEO, Skål International.

In the framework of the cooperation agreement with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Skål International is now participating in rebuilding the tourism industry. As of June 8, 2021, Skål International has become an authorized partner of WTTC to issue a ‘WTTC Safe Travels Stamp’ for all Skål International members who would like to apply and qualify for it.

The WTTC #SafeTravels Stamp was created for travelers to recognize destinations and businesses worldwide that have adopted the Safe Travels health and hygiene global standardized protocols.

Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short-term rentals car, rentals outdoor, shopping, transportation, and airports will be able to use the stamp once WTTC outlines the health and hygiene protocols have been implemented.

“One of Skål International’s stated objectives is to promote the development of the Travel and Tourism Industry worldwide through global partnerships. Our alliance with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is of strategic importance to our organization. We are proud of CEO Daniela Otero’s work with the WTTC. As an Associate Member, we firmly support the Security and Travel Facilitation initiative WTTC #SafeTravels Stamp to help the industry recover from the Pandemic and re-start travel.” Said Bill Rheaume, World President, Skål International.

The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp aims to align the private sector with common standards to ensure the safety of its workforce and travelers as each country or region moves to the ‘new normal’. The stamp allows travelers to recognize businesses worldwide that have adopted this global health, hygiene, sanitation, and physical distancing protocols issued by the WTTC to Covid-19.

Skål International is the world’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1934. Its members are Directors and Executives of the Tourism sector who relate to each other to address common interest issues, improving a business network, and promoting destinations.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News