The light
banter, the gusty laughter, the charged environ and the exchange of
notes on what's happening in the industry gave the meet a carnivalesque
ambience before it was called to order. It was camaraderie and solidarity
at its best with the bigwigs of the tourism and hospitality industry
making the best of the balmy evening at ITC Gardenia. . "Doing
business among friends" is linking business and friendships
and helping one another and that's what Skal meets are all about.
This was the Skal- Bangalore's monthly meet and membership drive evening
and I was the guest of the VP Mr. Venu Rao. Interacting with many
of them I could discern their concern for maintaining the highest
standards in customer satisfaction that would make the tourist /visitor
marvel at the concept of the Indian athithi devo bhava. I couldn't
help turning the clock, on a recent holiday to the French Riviera
belt. At a star hotel at Nice we had to do with a defective aircon
after a hectic day's sight seeing. Though there was an offer to shift
rooms we were too tired to do so. If only the attendant had the presence
of mind to give us a spare pedestal fan that was there, we would have
had rested well for the next day's schedule. And in one of the Ascot
hotels in Lyon we literally had to beg for towels though the occupancy
was for 2 persons from a nonchalant in all receptionist. I have always
thought that in a star hotel abroad the service would be meticulous,
because I have been pampered by the high standards of service in India
but experience belied this.
There are few organizations that leverage on friendships at the international/
national and local levels that can be rewarding and fulfilling. Skal
is that organization that promotes tourism and fellowship uniting
all branches of the travel and tourism professionals across the industry.
SKAL Bangalore is the third largest club in the country and currently
has 135 members from facets of tourism like the Hotels, Airlines,
Travel agencies, tourism media and catering colleges. It also promotes
ethics in business through the global code of ethics.
Says
the President Mr. J. P. Menon "The idea is to take Skal Bangalore
to the next level and hope that it becomes a force to reckon in the
country. I would like to bring in lot of synergy and use this platform
to place Karnataka on the global map of tourism working with the government.
Showcasing the State among the international Skalleagues, traveling
in the Golden Chariot- that would be wonderful. We have a great legacy
and we plan to take the Skal Bangalore forward with new members giving
it an impetus. We would like to sponsor 4 members to international
conferences but being strapped for funds we are sending only 2 members.
Fund raising is a big challenge. We want to be apart of society's
development albeit in a small way. As of now our CSR is sponsoring
a student to the 4 year tourism course at the premier institute of
Christ college".
This elite organisation has a robust growth potential in Bangalore
being the hub of senior hoteliers, travel agencies and airlines and
there is a northward trajectory with networking among the fraternity
being strong. Of late there has been a spurt in the membership if
the last drive that took in 25 members at one go is any indicator.
It is not surprising that the Bangalore chapter is 3rd in the country's
ranking of Skal.
Skal International of which the Bangalore Chapter is affiliated is
represented in 450 locations with 20,000 members in 85 countries headquartered
in Spain. The first club took its roots in Paris in 1932 and Skal
International was the outcome in 1934, when the international friendships
and close contacts were strengthened with ideas and opportunities
shared on a personal and business level. This organization is not
in the same league as the Rotary and Lions clubs.
Skal International is affiliated with UN World tourism and part of
the task force for the protection of children from exploitation in
tourism. It supports many charitable causes, net working and fairs
and trade exhibitions.
Venu Rao as VP handles PR, new memberships and the integration of
the existing members with the new entrants and taking care of the
daily functioning's. "As a representative body we also 2 years
back interacted with the tourism ministry and organised a 4 wheeler
treasure hunt on world tourism day that took the participants all
around Bangalore so that awareness increases. There were many other
interesting events that were a huge success "adds the VP.
There
were many ladies in this group and it was a pleasure to interact with
the charming Margaret Rasquinha, Marketing Head (Karnataka & AP),
Jet Airways. She has been associated with Skal for 15 years and is
the only continuous member on the committee since the last 14 years.
"We have seen the changes through the years and the organization
has grown, especially when a new committee takes over and introduces
many innovative ideas. Today in Bangalore, we find there are more
hoteliers, travel agents and related organizations. We are targeting
the just graduated from tourism and hotel management courses who will
be qualified to Active membership by the age of 35 years, thus ensuing
a continuous flow of members. 15 years back we had just 50 members
but now the representation is across the industry."
For more
information about the organization please visit their website - Skal
Bangalore
