Skål’s strong growth in Asia

The recently-held 47th Skål Asia Area Congress in Macau witnessed a considerable representation from India. Skål International Delhi took over the mantle of the largest Skål Club in the world.

TT Bureau

The Indian delegation was the largest at this year’s Skål Asia Area Congress with participation of more than 40 delegates, despite the Macau congress recording the highest number of international delegates in recent years. Skål Hyderabad 606 was declared the ‘Club of the Year for Skål Asia region’.
Ganesh Rao, President, Skål Hyderabad, received the prestigious award. Sohn, in his address, stated, “Among the regional areas of Skål International, the Skål Asian Area commands the largest area, stretching for more than 10,000 km from Guam in the Pacific region to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.”

On expansion and growth of the association in Asia, Sohn mentioned, “Asia is the only area in the world where Skål International is experiencing strong growth. In the Asian region, we achieved an increase of 14.7 per cent in the number of members compared to a year ago and currently, there are about 2,400 members in 41 clubs in Asia. The newest Club No 726 is Trivandrum.” “We are also proud to mention that Skål International Delhi took over the mantle of the largest Skål Club in the world,” he added.

The delegates had the chance to explore and experience the diversity of Macau’s culture and heritage, experience the hospitality and indulge in its cuisine with the ‘2018 Macao Year of Gastronomy’ theme. Skal Bangalore will host the 48^th Skal Asia Congress in 2019.

The event saw the august presence of Congress Skal Asia President Robert Sohn, who graced the occasion with dignitaries Alexis Tam, Secretary of Tourism, SASC; Dr Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, MGTO and Perry Yuen, President, Macau Culinary Association. Skal International (SI) World President Susanna Saari and CEO Daniela Otero; two SI past Presidents, Uzi Yalon and Richard Hawkins, SI Director Peter Morrison; two SI past Directors Jason Samuel & Andrew Wood and SI past Asia President Gerry Perez also marked their presence.

Skål Numbers

• The number of countries in the world that have a Skål Club decreased by one, from 84 to 83 while there was no change to the 19 countries in Asia that has Skal clubs
• Club wise Skål International lost four clubs going down from 359 to 355 clubs while Skål Asia increased its number of clubs from 40 to 41 and in terms of membership Skål Asia increased its numbers by 311 going up from 2,114 to 2,425