75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SKÅL
The celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of Skål International held in Paris on 27th and 28 th April were a great success and were attended by approximately 270 guests. Members and friends who attended the Gala Dinner in “Galerie des Fêtes” were welcomed by the President of the French National Assembly, Mr. Bernard Accoyer and Hulya Aslantas, President of Skål International. The networking luncheon, in glorious sunshine, on the new Bateaux Parisiens boat, “ Crystal” was also a very memorable occasion. More than 150 members visited the tomb of Florimond Volckaert in Père Lachaise cemetery and a plaque to mark the 75th Anniversary was unveiled by President Hulya Aslantas in the Hotel Scribe where it all began, 75 years ago. There are many photographs on the Skål International website www.skal.travel go to 75th Anniversary or click on the following hyperlink: http://www.skal.org/75anniversary/75anniversary.asp?idioma=I The Gala Dinner was generously sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and the French National Assembly who provided the magnificent venue.
HISTORY OF SKÅL
A special Skål Story Book was launched during the celebrations in Paris. Honorary President, Antonio Garcia del Valle, who has written the history of Skål, provided a lot of historical records going back to the foundation of Skål in 1932, two years before it became an international association. The book was generously sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. The Skål Story is now available for sale from the General Secretariat at Euros 25.00 plus postage and packing. 20% of the sale will go to the Florimond Volckaert Fund.
SPONSORS
The 75th Anniversary celebrations were sponsored by a number of companies and a list of these sponsors are at the foot of this newsletter. Skål International is most grateful for the help and cooperation of its sponsors and asks the members to support them wherever possible.
70th SKÅL WORLD CONGRESS
Registrations for the 70th Skål World Congress are being received in large numbers. The headquarters hotel, the Intercontinental Hotel is now full, however there are still plenty of rooms available at the other congress hotels, three deluxe and two first class. Details of the Congress and the registration form can be found at the following hyperlink. http://www.skal.org/congresos/Budapest09/budapest09.asp?idioma=I
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Malev, the national airline of Hungary is offering very special discounts on their network and special fixed fares from certain gateways. The have also implemented a system for bookings these fares on their website. Full details of the above is available on the Skål International website www.skal.travel or by clicking on the following hyperlink http://www.skal.org/newsletter/may09/Malev.pdf
PRE AND POST TOURS
A number of pre- and post- tours within Hungary are also available on the website. A special post congress cruise has been arranged and full details of this are also on the website. Please click on the following hyperlink: http://www.globusfamily.com.au/Agents/images/ProductFlyers/Avalon/SKALcongressflyer-US_EU/090302-SKALcongressflyer-US_EU.pdf
8TH ECOTOURISM AWARDS
The deadline for receipt of entries for the 8th Skål International Ecotourism Awards is 30th June 2009. The awards will be presented by the President of Skål International, Hulya Aslantas, during the Opening Ceremony of the 70th Skål World Congress in Budapest, Hungary on Monday 2 November 2009. Full details and the application form are available on the Skål International website www.skal.travel or click on the following hyperlink: http://www.skal.org/sustainable/I/index.html
SWINE FLU: LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SKÅL INTERNATIONAL CIUDAD DE MEXICO
The recent outbreak of the AH1N1 flu, or swine flu, in Mexico has devastated the tourism industry there. The international media coverage, sometimes greatly exaggerated, is largely responsible for this. The President of Skål International Ciudad de Mexico, Juan I. Steta has written to all Skål members worldwide seeking their help in putting this problem into context and requesting the support and solidarity of all Skål members in rebuilding the travel and tourism industry in Mexico. Please click here to read his letter. www.skal.org/newsletter/may09/mexico.pdf
SWINE FLU: INFORMATION FROM OUR PARTNERS, JOHNSON DIVERSEY
As you are aware Johnson Diversey is a partner of Skål International supporting our efforts for sustainable tourism and a major the sponsorship of the annual Ecotourism Awards. Johnson Diversey is one of the largest hygiene specialists in the world and in response to the outbreak of swine flue has prepared an information website for use by all Skål members. The site is in several languages. Please go to www.skal.org/newsletter/may09/johson.pdf
SKÅL AT IMEX
Skål International will once again have a stand at IMEX which will take place in Frankfurt from 26 to 28 May 2009. The stand Nº is C400. There will be a number of Skål events during IMEX as follows:
Tuesday 26th May 2009
Happy Hour from 12.00 to 14.00 hours
Skål Stand (nº C400) All Skål members are welcome and please bring a potential member with you.
Wednesday 27th May 2009
Happy Hour from 12.00 to 14.00 hours
Skål Stand (nº C400)
Thursday 28th May 2009
A special Skål Dinner will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel Frankfurt, Riverside Room at 18.00 hours. The dinner will be sponsored by the Croatian Convention & Incentive Bureau, Skål International Frankfurt am Main and Intercontinental Hotel Frankfurt.
ASIAN AREA CONGRESS
President Hulya will attend the Asian Area Congress in Incheon, Korea from 21 to 24 May 2009. If you can attend, please click on the following hyperlink for more information: http://www.skalkorea.com/
LATIN AMERICAN CONGRESS
The Latin American Congress will take place in Lima, Peru from 24 to 28 May 2009. President Hulya Aslantas will also be present there. For more information on this Congress please click on the following hyperlink: http://www.skalinternacionallima.com or click here to watch the welcome video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_H15D6j4r0
