Sent to: All Skål International Members
NOTES FROM THE
EDITOR

What do we truly value?
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT

Leadership in
Skål International
MESSAGE FROM
THE CEO

Alliances and the valuing of local goods
As you know, throughout the month of April, we have been holding a series of online events around what we call Skål Month, organised directly by clubs and National Committees to raise awareness of
Skål International destinations around the world.
We are very pleased with your participation and the success of these online sessions which highlight our motto of 'Doing Business Among Friends'.

Please find below the Skål Month calendar of events as there are still sessions to be held!
We want to bring you news from clubs and
National Committees around the world!

Find out in this issue what's new at Skål International Hamilton-Niagara, Hyderabad, Krabi, Madrid, Mexico, Philadelphia,
RDU/Central North Carolina, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and United States of America:
Skål International is proud to announce that the
2021 Sustainable Tourism Awards
are now open!

For 20 years, Skål International has recognized best practices in sustainable and responsible tourism around the world. As Affiliated members of the UNWTO, Skål International created the Sustainable Tourism Awards (STA) following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains.

In its 20th edition, Skål International is continuing its partnership with Biosphere© and the Responsible Tourism Institute to give the 'Skål Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Special Award' presented to one of the winners of the awards. The winner will be selected based on the Responsible Tourism Institute's pillars of sustainability.

To apply for Skål International STA 2021 and for more information on eligible entities, projects, and categories, please visit our web.

The STA ceremony will take place during the Opening Ceremony of our Skål International World Congress 2021 that will be held in Quebec next December. 

For any queries, please contact us here.
Skål International website
Please contact our helpdesk with any questions you may have logging in.
'Faces of Skål' Project
Skål International San Francisco & Skål International Atlanta joint project.
LinkedIn continues to be the number one social network in forming and maintaining professional connections.

Skål International San Francisco PR & Communications Director Franck Legrand and Skål International Atlanta PR & Communications Director Tess Vismale, who is also known as the Tech Whisperer in the Travel Industry, have prepared a joint project where they discuss the importance of LinkedIn and how to maximize the use of your LinkedIn account for personal, professional development as well as for the benefit of your Skål International networking.
Benefits
ASURE Accommodation Group
New Zealand nationwide accommodation group.

Your comfort is ASUREd when you stay with the nationwide
ASURE Accommodation Group in New Zealand.

The ASURE Accommodation Group consisted of over 40 properties nationwide and was set up in 2007 by passionate New Zealand accommodation providers to ensure you experience fantastic hospitality throughout New Zealand. In true Kiwi spirit, the ASURE Accommodation Group was built on solid values and continues to embrace quality with genuinely helpful and friendly hosts.

Booking is easy and convenient online at asurestay.com, and ASURE’s Online Check-In system reduces paperwork formalities at the front desk, enabling a low-touch, easy and safe way to access your accommodation quickly.

We look forward to welcoming you.
All Skålleagues and their families book on asurestay.com
– get a 10% discount by entering the promo code Skål International – receive ASURE’s Loyalty Programme at the time of stay at three or more ASURE Accommodation Group properties and receive $100 off your 10th Stay.
Reservations: asurestay.com
Enter Promo Code: Skål

Terms and Conditions:
  • All bookings must be made on www.ASURESTAY.com and enter the promo code: Skål to receive the 10% discount.
  • Excludes public holidays and special events.
  • No discount is given at the front desk.
Skål Resource Centre
#RebuildingTourism, the new
Skål International Webinar Series.
On 22 April we held a new webinar in collaboration with Tripadvisor: 'The Travel Rebound: Top Travel Trends & Predictions 2021'.

The session, hosted by Daniela Otero, CEO of Skål International, was attended by Fabrizio Angelo Orlando, Global Industry Relations Associate Director at Tripadvisor, who discussed interesting facts about traveling and the impact of the pandemic.

Below is the recording of the session:
Webinar ‘Changes in Talent Needs in the Hospitality Industry Globally - Current updates after Covid-19 Pandemic'.
The Özyeğin University School of Applied Sciences and Skål International Turkey National Committee organises the webinar ‘Changes in Talent Needs in the Hospitality Industry Globally - Current updates after Covid-19 Pandemic'.
Check the latest webinars
Different topics and sessions to keep updated and improve your professional skills.
Check them out!
Trends &
Insights
A collection of resources
to stay updated with the
industry and anticipate
future trends.
UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard
e-Hotelier
Insights
The UNWTO/IATA
Destination Tracker
We are delighted to welcome 196 new members who have joined Skål International between 16 March and 15 April 2021!

We also celebrate the growth of 33 countries! Special mention about Botswana and the city of Borba in Portugal, where we have recently expanded through the incorporation of two individual members. Welcome!

As CEO of Skål International, I am very proud to see our organisation grow with great professionals, especially at a time of celebration such as our World Skål Day!

Daniela Otero
CEO Skål International
Skål International foundation II
By Antonio García del Valle,
Honorary President
"There are differing opinions about what plane was used; some have suggested an F9 1930/36 or an F12 1931/36. 

At that time, aircraft of the F8, F7b, and F18 types were operated. There was also someone who identified it as a Farman 231, very similar to the Fokker – this was the opinion of Stephen Goerl, one of the passengers".

Find out more details about the founding of our organisation!
Best Western
Best Western
Register Before You Stay!
Best Western Rewards® members who register and stay between February 15 and May 9, 2020 at any Best Western® branded hotel in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean will get one $25 Best Western Gift card each night. Limit 4 gift cards.

Best Western gift card(s) expire on August 31, 2021.
WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards
WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards
adds Global Winners for 2021

Entries are open for the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021, with this year's ceremony including a series of Global Awards for the first time.
The awards, first launched in 2004, recognise and reward businesses and destinations contributing to a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry. 
Winners are chosen by a group of industry experts, which meet online to allow for an internationally diverse panel. 
 
The panels are all headed up by Harold Goodwin, WTM's Responsible Tourism Advisor. 
 
The same assessment process is followed across all regions and categories to ensure that each entry is judged on the same basis.
 
This year's categories reflect the relationship between tourism, responsibility, and COVID-19:
 
  • Decarbonising Travel & Tourism.
  • Sustaining Employees and Communities through the Pandemic.
  • Destinations Building Back Better Post-Covid.
  • Increasing Diversity in Tourism: How inclusive is our industry?
  • Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment.
  • Growing the Local Economic Benefit.

Businesses can enter on their behalf or be nominated by partners, peers, or customers. As usual, the competition is broken down into four regions: Africa, India, Latin America, amd Rest of World, with Gold and Silver Awards given to the first and second-placed entries in each category in each region.
 
The panel will also name one business in each category and region as 'one to watch'.
 
Each region also has a discretionary 'Judges Award' available for businesses whose area of expertise falls between the categories or who have been previous winners.
 
This year, all the Gold winners will have a chance to win an inaugural WTM World Responsible Tourism Global Award. Each of the six categories will have its Global winner, chosen from the four regional winners.
 
Entries can be submitted from 8 April, with 31 August the final closing date. Entries must be submitted online by clicking here
 
The regional Gold and Silver Awards recipients, and the new Global winners, will be announced at WTM Virtual, taking place digitally between 8 -9 November this year. 
 
WTM London is returning as a physical event at Excel London from 1 – 3 November.
 
Harold Goodwin, WTM's Responsible Tourism Advisor, said:
 
"Since their launch in 2004, at WTM London, the World Responsible Tourism Awards have grown in prestige." 
 
"Every year, remarkable new examples of responsible businesses and destinations are 'discovered' and recognised through the Awards".
 
"In 2021, for the first time, we are launching Global Awards for each category, selected from the Gold winners in each of the regions."
 
"Only those that enter can win; you've nothing to lose by applying or encouraging someone else to do so".
 
Simon Press, Exhibitor Director at WTM London, said: 
 
"By the time WTM London welcomes the global travel industry back to Excel London this November, we should have a clearer idea about the future of travel in the COVID-19 era".
 
"WTM is absolutely committed to helping the industry get back on its feet, but we are also determined that the momentum we've helped to build around responsible tourism is maintained".
 
"If anything, the pandemic reinforces the need for all stakeholders to think about their business's environmental and social impact".
 
"The WTM Responsible Tourism World Awards will continue to give businesses doing good work a platform and a profile. At the same time, the introduction of Global winners confirms our belief that responsible tourism is now a global as well as a regional imperative".
Skål International presence at
WTW Africa 2021
An article by Lavonne Wittmann
WTM Africa has always been an inspiring time for Skål International South Africa, and this year it was no different... albeit in a very different format.
It is and always has been a time for us to be innovative, renew our love and passion for Skål International, and be given the opportunity to represent our organization with pride while offering fantastic membership benefits to potential members in our industry.

During the three days of the expo, our members focus on teamwork, our product, and strategy as we move forward towards a shared objective while, of course, having fun.

Yes, it did not have the physical connectedness or the electric energy that surrounded the Skål International stand as in previous yea but our focus remained the same...to gain new members that will enjoy a long and beneficial relationship with our organization.

Reed Exhibitions and Big Ambitions made sure that we were all trained before the Africa week on the technical logistics, navigating the virtual portal effectively, working the speed networking, and updating our profile correctly so we could easily be recognised and visible. When the expo officially opened, we were equipped, ready and excited to host our meetings and network.

As a true example of our slogan connecting tourism globally, most of our clubs had the opportunity to refer many members to other clubs internationally during these three days while our club Presidents were thrilled to be able to address new business contacts and potential members virtually from the comfort of their own offices and homes.

I have always said that having an Skål International stand at the major travel and tourism exhibitions globally is the most attractive and beneficial benefit of becoming a Skål International member.

I was very honored and privileged to be one of the speakers at WTM Africa 2021. Even though I missed the energy and interactive audience, I could still convey my message to a virtual live audience and have the opportunity to reach an even bigger audience with the replays offered on the virtual portal for many weeks ahead, an option not available when speaking live.
My talk topic overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities as a travel entrepreneur, appealed to every sector of our industry and any other business entrepreneur starting. Of course, being part of this prestigious speaker panel allowed excellent visibility for Skål International while affirming our vision of to be a trusted voice in Travel and Tourism.

New opportunities, new members, new ways of networking!
Lavonne Wittmann
Skål International Pretoria
President Skål International 2019
FITUR 2021
Trade Shows
Fitur
(Madrid, Spain)

19-23 May 2021
World Travel Market
(London, UK)

1-3 November 2021
IMEX America
(Las Vegas, U.S.A.)

9-11 November 2021
IBTM World
(Barcelona, Spain)

30 November - 2 December 2021
Skål International Congresses 2021
Skål International Asia Area Congress
CANCELLED
Srinagar, India
Skål International World Congress
DATES CHANGE 
9-13 December 2021
Québec, Canada
Skål International World Congress 2021, Canada, Québec City
You have all seen the announcement that our World Skål International President and fellow Canadian Bill Rheaume made; Yes, we changed the date of the congress.

Québec will welcome you from December 9-13, 2021.

Why you ask? It is simple; we want to make sure we give enough time for vaccination to take flight, that our borders reopen and that airlines can get flights back up and fly. The sanitary measures from Canada and Québec right now still limit us in the number of participants we can have and what we can do. We are confident that this few weeks' push back will help us have more options ready for you.
Québec in winter and before the Holidays is magical!
Our 'joie de vivre' comes from our way of living in those winter months. We are working hard in creating a program that will immerse you in the world's top best winter city.

to learn more and be up to date.   

Marjolaine de Sa
President LOC Québec City
Canada Skål World Congress 2021
'Innovation meets History'
Did you miss the last issue of 'Skål Now'?
Here is the latest edition:
If you missed the Skål International Tourism Now Magazine, this is now available on the Skål International website or by clicking here.

Next Magazine will be out in June. Please make sure to submit your 'stories' for it by 10 June to Ana María Vera at the Skål International General Secretariat.

We would love to hear about ongoing community projects, member success stories, industry trends/reports to share with the membership... thank you!
We want to improve! please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] with any questions or suggestions. Thank you very much for your interest.
Editor
Burcin Turkkan
Senior Vice President
Skål International
CONTACTS
DATA PROTECTION INFORMATION
This message is intended only for its addressee and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that the use, disclosure, and/or unauthorized copy of this message is strictly prohibited under current law. If you have received this message in error, we ask that you please notify us immediately and proceed to delete this message. The personal data that appears herein and the data that SKÅL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION – A.I.S.C. – SKÅL INTERNATIONAL keeps about you and your company are subject to current law on personal data protection.

This correspondence complies with current law on processing data for promotional, advertising, and marketing purposes. You are receiving this email as a member or contact of SKÅL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION – A.I.S.C. – SKÅL INTERNATIONAL or because you have completed one of the forms on our website at www.skal.org. In accordance with the provisions of Article 22 of Law 34/2002 on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which approves the General Data Protection Regulation, and Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, on Personal Data Protection and the Guarantee of Digital Rights, you have the right to access, rectify, limit processing, delete, request portability, and oppose your personal data's processing, as well as to withdraw your consent by means of a written, signed request addressed to Skål International, P.O. Box 466, 29620, Torremolinos, Málaga (Spain) or by sending an email to our Data Protection Officer at [email protected]. If you do not wish to receive any further communications from our Association you can unsubscribe by accessing your user profile on our website skal.org and checking the option “Unsubscribe from Skål International communication”.