Skal International is a professional organisation connecting travel and tourism professionals across the world, with its core objective being the promotion of global tourism, friendship and professional cooperation.

Dr Hari Kishan was elected with the highest majority and thanked members for reposing confidence in his leadership.

"It is a great privilege and honour to lead Skal International Hyderabad. The trust placed in me by our members brings with it a greater responsibility to carry forward the remarkable legacy of this club," he said.

The newly elected Board comprises Pankaj Sampath as Vice President-I, Rubin Cherian as Vice President-II, Earnest Immanuel as Secretary, Ravi Agarwal as Treasurer, Ramakrishna as Director-Membership Development, Srinivas as Director-PR and Communication and Mohan Krishna as Director-Young Skal, the organisation said in a release on Sunday.

The new Board will focus on strengthening membership, communication, professional networking, Young Skal initiatives and greater participation in international Skal programmes during its 2026-28 term.

Skal International Hyderabad has the distinction of hosting the Skal International World Congress in 2017.

The Hyderabad club has also produced the *first Indian World President of Skal International, who is scheduled to assume global leadership at the 85th Skal World Congress in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, later this year, according to the organisation.

"Our club has created history and achieved several milestones. Therefore, the responsibility on the new Board is even greater. We will work collectively to strengthen member engagement, networking and professional relationships, while creating new milestones for Skal International Hyderabad," Dr Hari Kishan said.

Founded in Paris in 1932 and formally established as an international association in 1934, Skal International currently brings together around 12,500 tourism professionals through more than 290 clubs across over 75 countries.

In India, Skal International has more than 20 regional clubs and over 1,400 members representing various segments of the tourism industry, including hospitality, aviation, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism boards and government bodies.

(UNI)