May 22, 2017 TnH Global 0

Skål International Asia’s Annual Area Congress – BAHRAIN 2017

The 46^thSkål Asian Area Congress was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain from 12 – 15^th June. This year marks the 45^thyear of the Skål Club of Bahrain which was formed in 1972 and is hosting the Asian Area congress after a 17-year gap. This is the fourth time Skål Bahrain is hosting the Asian Area congress. The first was in 1983 followed by congresses in 1991, 2000 and now in 2017.

Skål International is the world’s oldest and largest networking organisation of travel industry professionals. Skål International today has approximately 14,300 members in 359 Clubs throughout 84 nations. Most activities occur at local level, moving up through National Committees, under the umbrella of Skål International, headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain. The Asian Area Congress 2017 in Bahrain was well attended with Skål leagues from all corners of the World. Skål leagues from Argentina, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, USA and the Asian Area clubs under the Presidency of Asian Area President Robert Sohn attended the Congress.

The 46^th Skål Asian Area Congress began with a welcome cocktail party in the Grand Ballroom of the Gulf Hotel in the heart of this island Kingdom. The Congress took place at the Gulf Hotel from 12-15 May with Sheikh Khalid Bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority making the opening address at the Opening Ceremony of the Congress. Sheikh Khalid told the Bahrain club to think of organising an International Skål Congress in the future. Sheikh Khalid in his address pointed out the tourism developments such as the USD1 billion dream Project of a new Bahrain airport, a 6 percent increase in the tourism sector in Bahrain, 12.2 million arrivals last year,5 new five-star resort and hotels being built and he pointed out that Skål has provided a good platform for the tourism sector here in Bahrain and around the globe. He stated that Bahrain is no longer a weekend destination but a full week destination. He emphasized the promotion of culture and heritage and said that Skål Bahrain President Buzizi has put Bahrain on the World Tourism Map and it was up to the media to portray the Bahraini Hospitality to the world. In his speech, SKÅL Bahrain President Mohd. Buzizi said, “We have put together an interesting and comprehensive program for all of the 125 delegates attending”. “There is growing interest in the heritage, history, culture and cuisine that makes Bahrain such a special destination,” explained President Mohamed Buzizi.”

Other speakers at the conference included David Fisher, President of Skål International and the Asian Area President Robert Sohn. The Congress programme also included the Skål Asian Area Annual General Meeting for the election of the Board of Officers for the period 2017 to 2019.The Skål Asian Area President Robert Sohn was re-elected unanimously along with the other Board members as given below.

The participating members were offered outstanding deals to enable the maximum number of people to attend. Qatar Airways and Gulf Air offered discounted airfares of 20-30% and free airport transfers were arranged by the organisers. The host Skål Club in the Kingdom of Bahrain also arranged for every delegate to receive an entry visa, free of charge, and the authorities in Bahrain did everything possible to make Skål members feel welcome.

President Robert Sohn said that it’s a proud moment for Hyderabad, India to be the host of Skål World Congress 2017 which will be held in October this year. He said that it would be a proud moment for Skål Asia and for the growth in the tourism sector in Asia. He had all praises for the Bahrain Congress committee under the leadership of Md Buzizi which had done a stupendous Job.

The opening ceremony started with the flag ceremony and a remarkable local cultural dance performance and the Congress ended with pomp and show, with spectacular local entertainment talent, an award ceremony and finally concluded with the Raffle draw.