The Dubai chapter of Skal, the international organisation of tourism leaders, was launched in the emirate with the support of Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Mohammed Khamis Hareb Al Muhairy, DTCM's Director of Operations and Marketing, named Ghassan Aridi, general manager of Alpha Tours, as president of Skal's newest branch. Aridi is joined by Mohammed Al Geziry as vice president and 18 founding members representing all spheres of Dubai's tourism sector.

Skal has long-since been recognised as the global association for the tourism industry and Dubai is delighted to join more than 500 Skal clubs worldwide in the advancement of the global tourism sector, said Al Muhairy.
Registered as Dubai Chapter 672 through the Skal headquarters in Torremolinos, Spain, the founding members join more than 25,000 tourism professionals in more than 525 clubs in 80 countries in their pursuit for the sound development of tourism worldwide.

Aridi explained : Skal is a global association of tourism professionals who encourages and creates a network around the world. It promotes seminars and conferences to strengthen the industry's professionalism and the Dubai chapter is geared to follow suit.
He confirmed that club membership is now open to Dubai-based tourism professionals with more than three years industry experience.

Vice president, Al Geziry said Skal Dubai has a busy calendar of activities in store, in addition to a monthly member's luncheon.

Through participation in local activities and events at all levels, Dubai Skal club members will be able to meet industry colleagues both locally and from around the world to share and develop ideas, opportunities and industry matters on a personal and business level, he said.

The inaugural luncheon, held aboard MV Danat Dubai on Dubai Creek, was attended by the vice president of Bahrain Skal, Gulf tourism veteran, Mohammed Buzizi. Buzizi is also managing director and board member of Bahrain National Hotels Company. He was joined as a guest speaker by Mark Miller, regional area manager Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent, British Tourism Authority. Membership to the Dubai chapter of Skal Club is now open.