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SKAL World Congress 2003
Susan George - Chennai
The atmosphere was charged, and the air bristled with
electricity, as the 64th Annual SKAL World Congress kicked off at the Chennai
Trade Centre. Traditional music with the rhythmic beats of the ‘mridangam’
punctuated the hum of conversation among the 700-odd delegates at the Congress,
five hundred of who were from overseas. For the first time in the 63-year history
of SKAL, India played host to the annual international conference - and the
Indian theme was reflected in every speech and gesture of the inaugural ceremony.
‘Incredible India’ and ‘Enchanting Tamil Nadu’ were the
highlights through the Congress.
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| J Jayalalithaa |
Headquartered in Torremolinos, Spain, SKAL is a professional
organisation of tourism leaders from around the world, promoting global tourism
and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the
travel and tourism industry. Today, SKAL International has approximately 25,000
members in more than 525 clubs throughout 80 nations. This year, delegates from
38 countries, took part in discussions and forums that revolved around the theme
‘Tourism Through Friendship and Peace.
Three years ago, at a bid at Malta, the Congress committee
president, Manoj Virmani, and Nagendra Prasad, the former international councillor
for India, proposed that Chennai be the venue of the 2003 Congress. Today, with
hundreds of tourism and hotel industry professionals converging on Chennai and
taking in the sights and sounds of the city, it is no longer a distant dream.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Virmani highlighted
the unique potential of Chennai as a tourist destination. “Tamil Nadu is
one of the most progressive states, with industries like IT, automobile, automobile
parts, leather and so on. It is a cosmopolitan city, which assimilated new ideas
while preserving cultural integrity. It is a blend of traditional and modern
India.” He went on to state that the Congress had brought together two
great women leaders - Mary Bennett, the first woman president of SKAL, and J
Jayalalithaa, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He also praised the government
of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department for their unstinting support.
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| Rashmi Verma |
Rashmi Verma, additional director general, tourism,
Government of India, also stressed the potential of Tamil Nadu as a tourist
destination. “It is very appropriate that SKAL, an organisation of tourism
industry professionals from around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship
- have chosen Chennai, south India’s commercial and cultural capital, the
fourth largest metropolitan in India, as the venue for the Congress.” She
also read out a message from the minister of tourism and culture, Jagmohan,
who was unable to attend the function. His message read, “The international
conference is scheduled at an appropriate time when tourism trends are showing
promise of recovery and growth. India, in particular, has posted an excellent
growth rate of 15 percent in foreign tourists’ arrivals this year. Our
domestic tourism is growing at a rapid place and touched the number of 271 million
in 2002. In the arena of tourism and culture, India, for quite some time, had
been a sleeping giant. It is now fully awake and is making strides in the right
direction.” Jagmohan also pointed out that the tourism department was looking
at the industry with a ‘wider perspective’. “We believe that
tourism must help in eliminating poverty and unemployment and work as a catalyst
in creating a more just and equitable social order.” Delivering the inaugural
address, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, said that the Congress
is a landmark occasion for Tamil Nadu as it gives the state a unique opportunity
to showcase some of its priceless treasures. “Every state in India has
something special to offer to its visitors … but, it is only Tamil Nadu,
and I can say this with confidence and pride that is endowed with everything.
Wherever a tourist’s interests lie, Tamil Nadu can offer all this to you
on one platter.” The chief minister also expounded on infrastructure in
the state and stated that the Tamil Nadu government planning to pump in about
$ 4 million for comprehensive infrastructure development in the metropolitan
area. The state also proposes to facilitate more international flight connections
to Chennai, especially from Europe and the United States. She added, “The
road network within the state is also getting a major facelift with massive
investment by the government totalling 458 million US dollars.”
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| Mary Bennett |
Mary Bennett, SKAL president, pointed out that, “Wherever,
a SKAL Congress has been held, tourism to that country has increased over the
next five years.” Encouraging the gathering of SKALleagues, she said that
although the tourism industry has been badly hit in the past three years, it
has proved resilient and is back on the road to recovery. She also pointed out
that in the evolving market place, consumer needs are changing, and the impact
of new technology is proving radical. A prime example of this is internet booking
of tickets which reduces the role of the travel agent, but is proving advantageous
to suppliers and customers. It also increases potential for direct marketing,
thereby fostering repeat customers. “The future potential of the industry
lies in recognising and reacting to these challenges. This is a dynamic and
vibrant industry, and I look forward to the future with great confidence,”
she said.
The visiting delegates had several events lined up
for them, both at the venue and at hotels around the city. Several music and
dance troupes were organised, with an accent on the traditional. Eminent speakers
were also invited to address the audience. Vijay Amritraj, former tennis star
and Hollywood actor, and one of the foremost cultural ambassadors of India,
addressed the audience on the education gained through global travel. On the
tourism industry, Amritraj said that there needs to be right balance between
competition and co-operation, and that SKAL keeps ‘mission and method in
perspective’. On day three of the Congress, the delegates also had the
chance to listen to spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev deliver a message.
Some of the other activities planned during the course of the convention included
golf tours, excursions to Mamallapuram and Kancheepuram and a host of activities
planned under the ‘cultural options’ segment like mehendi demonstration,
astrology, numerology, yoga demonstration and shopping.
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| Manoj Virmani |
However, SKAL is much more than a fam trip for 500 people.
Jim Power, secretary general, SKAL International, said that the Congress was
akin to a ‘shop window’ for India. “A lot of people don’t
know the facts about India. There are a lot of myths about the country. For
instance, many people ask questions like, ‘Is it safe to drink the water?’
or ‘Is it OK to eat salad?’ The truth is, India is very different
from the myths. For example, some of the delegates travelled by Air-India and
thought it was the best business class service they ever received.” Power
added that the tourism potential for India is immense, especially with the state
government’s stance to improve infrastructure, not just of roads, but also
with business facilities. He pointed out that when he came earlier this year
as part of the inspection committee to evaluate the Chennai Trade Centre plans
to build an additional convention hall were on the anvil. Originally planned
to accommodate 1,000 people, the government took SKAL’s suggestion to increase
the capacity to 1,500. As a networking ground, the Congress enforces alliances
among the 22,000 members of SKAL International. “The Congress gives a wonderful
opportunity to promote India as a destination that goes beyond ‘normal’
tourism. Many people are not aware of spiritual tourism or the rich eco tourism
routes that India offers.”
With the active involvement of the state and central
government in promoting the SKAL Congress, the delegates have been presented
an intensive run-down of the rich and vast culture of India. Breaking free of
convention, the spotlight has been turned to south India, specifically Chennai.
Wherever a SKAL Congress has been held, tourism to that country has increased,
said Mary Bennett, at the inaugural day event. It remains to be seen how the
delegates will respond to the new glimpses of India that they have seen through
the peephole of the 64th SKAL World Congress.
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In her speech to the SKALleagues gathered
at the CTC, the chief minister J Jayalalithaa said that Tamil Nadu will
be awaiting the return of visitors with a ‘welcome befitting the
gods’. The resounding opinion expressed among the international delegates
proved that indeed one of the foremost strengths of India is her hospitality.
Avril Walters from Ireland, the official photographer of the event, mentioned,
“It is the people who make the experience. They are extremely friendly
and make the country what it is.” She added that Chennai compares
well with the other international destinations that the Congress has been
held at. “It is very different. For a change it is out of affluent
countries like those in Europe or the US.” Commenting on the hospitality
he received, a Skalleague from Canada said, “The emphasis of marketing
should be on how welcome the local people make you feel. I was overwhelmed
by the response and didn’t expect it. We need to educate the western
world about the delights of India.” Another resonant view held by
the delegates was that south India has not received its due limelight.
“Taj Mahal is beautiful, but it is not the only monument in India.
For the pre and post tours, very few people applied to go for the south
Indian tours, because they simply don’t know about the beauty of
Mamallapuram, Kancheepuram, Thanjavur and other destinations. Even travel
agents are unaware of these locations, and it is time for India to begin
promoting these destinations globally.”
With about 1,000 rooms a day booked for the
event by delegates, Chennai hoteliers were on their toes with planning
and prepping to ensure that the 500 or so international delegates come
back for more. Eleven hotels, including the host venue, ITC Park Sheraton
and Towers, were shortlisted for the event. With the emphasis on “value
for money”, the most expensive package stands at US$ 1,660, and includes
a double room at a deluxe hotel, with the add-ons of gala dinners, cultural
performances, and city tours. Delegates also have access to rooms before
and after the Congress, with tariffs standing at approximately US$ 100
a night. Their efforts seem to have been worth it. Jim Power, secretary
general, SKAL International, says, “I informed the SKAL Executive
Committee that if they want to see real five-star hotels, go to Chennai.
All the hotels that have been booked for the Congress fall in the superior
five-star category. Service in India is like nowhere else in the world.
That is a very important plus point - nowhere else do you have so many
people attending to you.” M O Koshi, executive committee member,
and general manager, GRT Grand, says, “Many people were surprised
that hotels of such high standards existed in Chennai. Even some of the
Indian delegates, were unaware of the existence of hotels like GRT.”
The SKAL eco-tourism awards initiated last
year were presented again for 2003. This year, 53 countries turned in
entries, in the following five categories: travel and tourism providers
(tour operators, hotel chains, and transportation), companies investing
in qualifying projects, small enterprise dealing with eco tourism, community/government
projects, and educational programmes with relevant subjects. The winners
this year came from Germany, Greece, Turkey, Ecuador, and South Africa.
Says Litsa Papathanassi, director of the eco-tourism awards, “The
awards are a great PR tool for SKAL, to enhance its image. It will show
that SKAL is a powerful organisation that can initiate change, and encourage
conservation of the environment. It is important that SKAL becomes linked
with caring for the environment.” The sponsorship for the award is
from the Greek Ministry of Tourism, she added. “We plan to take it
further by creating a database and library on the subject, and urge our
members to participate in relevant events.” Commenting on India’s
eco-tourism potential, Papathanassi commented that she had not studied
the subject in-depth, but believes that eco-tourism should be promoted
in culture-specific ways. “In Kerala you have the Ayurveda which
is unique to that part of the country. You have to promote a product that
is in keeping with the cultural environment so that tourists have a unique
experience.”
A large exhibition centre at the CTC was
dedicated to stalls, showcasing some of the best India has to offer. Several
handicraft stalls, displaying items like sandalwood idols, Kashmiri arts
and crafts, handlooms, leather goods, and so on caught visitors’
attention. Said the representative from Co-optex handlooms, “There
have been several enquiries from the visitors and sales have exceeded
expectations.” Says Anita Menon, regional sales manager, Kumarakom
Lake Resort, “We’re not expecting on-the-spot booking, but several
people have made enquiries about us. A few of the delegates will be staying
with us after the Congress.” While several visitors made their way
to handicraft stalls, many of the booths representing different parts
of the country remained bereft of visitors. A representative from the
Pondicherry stall commented that visitors were not being encouraged to
visit the pavilion and they had had no enquiries during the course of
the event. In true representation of the state of Tamil Nadu, the traditional
was represented by the state tourism stall doling out steaming cups of
filter coffee, while the state’s thrust on IT was demonstrated by
the presence of a Dishnet hub.
In honour of their founder, the late Florimond
Volckaert, an eponymous fund has been created for Skalleagues in need
of assistance. Sabrina Naydu, part of the organising committee, is in
charge of the silent auction through which funds are raised. “All
the items in the auction are donated by SKAL members. People bid for a
particular piece they’re interested in and the money is then used
to help Skalleagues with certain problems,” said Naydu. Silver photo
frames, a 100-year-old hand woven shawl, an aboriginal boomerang, an inlaid
Turkish bowl, small mementos from around the world lined the shelves.
With a steady stream of visitors pouring in and casting bids for the pieces
on display, SKAL seems to embody “tourism through friendship and
peace.”
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