Travel & tourism friends say ‘skal’ 

The Calcutta chapter of Skal International, a professional organisation that brings together various stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, marked their annual general meeting by celebrating the spirit of Poila Baisakh a few days early over a meet-and-greet on April 6 at Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences. 

Attended by members of various consulates, hoteliers, travel agents and more, the evening saw many “Skaleagues” (as Skal members are called) and their spouses dressed in traditional Bengali attire. 

According to members, Skal promotes global tourism and friendship and is the only international group uniting all sectors of travel and tourism. 

Founded in the 1930s as a happy fallout of the first joint Swedish and French air service between Stockholm and Paris, Skal International is headquartered in Spain and has a presence in 87 countries.

Started in April 1954 here, Skal International Kolkata is one of the oldest in Asia with over 100 members. 

Curious about the name? Well, Skal (pronounced ‘skawl’) means ‘cheers’ in Swedish!