At times, hospitality isn’t just about the
niceties observed for clients within a property. It can go beyond. And it can
reap rewards too. This is what SKAL International Goa, the local branch of an
international organisation, has managed to highlight, having bagged an award in
Manila that signifies just that.
SKAL International is the only
international organisation of owners, top executives and general managers that
represent all branches of the travel and tourism industry. The organisation was
formed in order to promote camaraderie and networking amongst members and
presently has 18,000 members in 525 clubs across 87 countries.
The group’s Vice President, South Goa,
Guitry Velho explains what the group stands for. “We have acted as an umbrella
for hospitality and travel professionals to bond and build better working
relationships. Through SKAL international events, we get an opportunity to meet
and interact with colleagues from around the world.”
The etymology of SKAL finds its roots in
Scandinavia, with the four letters representing Sundhet (health), Karlek
(love), Alder (longevity of life) and Lycka (happiness). Earlier this month,
the 44th SKAL Asia Congress was held at Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila in
the Philippines from June 4-7, 2015, where the theme of the meeting was
‘Manila, The Capital of Fun’.
At the event, SKAL International Goa bagged
the award for the Best SKAL Club of Asia 2015, which was handed over to the
President, Charles Bonifacio and members Mario Sequeira, Ramnath Quenim and
Elvino DeSouza by the World President of SKAL International, Salih Cene. The
award highlighted the local group’s excellent networking amongst members by
organising regular networking Executive Committee Meetings and General Body
Meetings every month and for Membership Retention. SKAL International Goa was
also recognised for its unique project of mobilising funds at its Annual
Christmas Party, in an attempt to help those in need.
Charles Bonifacio, the President of SKAL
International Goa, looks back on the group’s Manila adventure, saying, “Last
year, I attended the 43rd SKAL Asia Congress which was held in Bali where two
of our ‘Skalleaques’, Ernest Dias and Reshma Alves, were declared SKAL Asia
Personality of the Year 2014 for their exemplary work of networking amongst
members and hotels. Buoyed by the experience, we encouraged members to be a
part of the 44th SKAL Asia Manila Congress. Here we networked with SKAL members
from Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar
and USA, as well as various SKAL Clubs of India. With fresh perspective on many
issues, the experience has been an enlightening one and we can now look forward
to achieving even more.”
SKAL International Goa has undertaken
several works for the purpose of charity, probably more than most amongst all
of the SKAL Clubs of Asia. They have been instrumental in raising funds to help
Obra de Proteçao a Mulher (a home for the children of unwed mothers), ASRO (a
home for children inflicted with AIDS) and Peace Haven, a home and school for
differently abled children at Caranzalem. In addition to this, SKAL continues
to help the National Association for the Blind and works towards aiding those
in need of assistance. This award only goes to highlight that hospitality, and
all that it stands for, can extend well beyond the walls of the five star
properties and into the lives of the average person.
