SKAL, an international organization that brings together all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, was introduced in the Philippines in 1953 with the establishment of its SKAL Club of the Philippines. In 1990, the SKAL Club of Cebu was chartered with Charles Lim as its founding president.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Joaquim Schutte, general manager of Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, hosted the club of 40 dedicated and driven members at an intimate reception.
A fortnight later at the Waterfront Hotel Lahug, during its regular monthly meeting, seven individuals were inducted into the club with guest of honor, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, doing the honors.
Those inducted included Garry Garcia of Be Resort, Ana Mella Remonde, Demetrio Anticuando and Lyndee Reyes of the University of San Carlos, Gemma Linda Baz of Marco Polo Hotel, Jewel Almendras of Travel and Beyond and Ruby Guinto of the Travel Cooperative of the Philippines.
Charles Lim once again at the helm of the association, expounded on the significance of an important upcoming event, the 39th SKAL Asian Congress to be held in Cebu from May 27 to 30.
Secretary Durano commended the SKAL Club of Cebu for hosting the Congress, which will provide a framework for cooperation and understanding among the clubs and facilitate a collaboration between its members, advancing their goals and objectives with regard to working amid global tourism stakeholders.
SKAL today has approximately 22,000 members in 500 clubs throughout 90 nations.