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20th Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards and 3rd Skål Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Special Award 2021

The Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards, launched in 2002, are geared towards enhancing the visibility and grant recognition to entities from the Travel and Tourism industry.

MALAGA, SPAIN – On Monday 20 December 2021, the announcement of the Sustainable Tourism Awards winners edition has taken place during the virtual Annual General Assembly of Skål International.

The Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards, launched in 2002, are geared towards enhancing the visibility and grant recognition to entities from the Travel and Tourism industry.

Skal appreciation goes to Biosphere Tourism and the Responsible Tourism Institute for their continuous cooperation in the frame of these Awards for third consecutive year. This year, they have exceptionally granted two Skål Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Special Awards instead of one.

Winners of the 2021 Skal International Sustainble Tourism Awards

  • Community and Government Projects: Servicios Ecoturísticos El Jorullo, Mexico.
  • Countryside and Bidiversity: Chai Lai Orchid, Thailand.
  • Educational Programmes and Media: Tourism Industry Aotearoa, New Zealand.
  • Major Tourist Attractions: The Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
  • Marine and Coastal: Six Senses Laamu, The Maldives.
  • Rural Accomodation: Sardegna Grand Hotel Terme, Italy.
  • Tour Operators and Travel Agents: City Sightseeing, South Africa.
  • Urban Accomodation: The Grand Hotel, Sri Lanka.

Winners of the 2021 Skal Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Special Awards

  • The Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
  • Chai Lai Orchid, Thailand.

The independent jury has been made up by three prominent and distinguished personalities who have acted in representation of internationally recognized entities. They have evaluated the 50 entries received based on leadership criteria in sustainability that encompass tangible, measurable benefits to the environment, enhance business, and the society and communities in which they operate. 

Results of the 2021 elections
Also, Skal announce that during the virtual Annual General Meeting held on Monday 20 December 2021, Skål International delegates voted their new Executive Board for 2022. Senior Vice President Burcin Turkkan (Atlanta, USA) becomes the President Elect, while Director Juan Ignacio Steta (Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico) was elected to the position of Vice President. Marja Eela-Kaskinen (Turku, Finland) continues as a Director, while Annette Cardenas (Panama), and Denise Scrafton (Melbourne, Australia) are the new Directors elected. Carlos Banks (Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beaches, USA) and Jose Luis Quintero (Malaga-Costa del Sol, Spain) have been elected to the positions of Auditor and Deputy Auditor respectively. 

The following members were bestowed the Membre d’Honneur distinction: Carlos Berberian – posthumously (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Carlos Lopez Gallego (Lima, Peru), Antonio Percario (Roma, Italy) and Mario Sequeira (Goa, India).

President's Awards

  • Order of Skål Merit: The President conferred the Order of Skål Merit to all current Presidents of Skål International National Committees.
  • Skålleague of the Year: Antonio Percario, Skål International Roma, Italy.
  • Skål Ambassador of the Year: Paolo Bartolozzi, Skål International Roma, Italy.
  • Skål Special Awards for 2021: Fiona Nicholl, Skål International Cairns, Australia.

Skal Club of the Year
Following the online vote carried out by the clubs worldwide and a jury in representation of the Executive Board, the three top clubs are: 

  • Winner of the Skål Club of the Year Award 2020/2021: Skål International Gold Coast (Australia). View video here. 
  • Second position: Skål International Goa (India). View video here.
  • Third position: Skål International Tampa Bay (USA). View video here.

The winner is entitled to a double free Congress Registration to the Croatia Skål World Congress in 2022.

Membership Deevelopment Campaign
For second year, we have not only considered the percentage increase to determine the winners but also a net increase in membership. Therefore, two awards were presented in each category, based on the membership figures recorded at the General Secretariat on 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021.

The clubs having won the Platinum awards are entitled to a Euros 250 reduction for the Kvarner 2022 Skål World Congress or membership fees in the event there is a congress cancellation.

Percentage Increase Awards

  • Platinum Award: Skål International Miami, USA.
  • Gold Award: Skål International Hua Hin & Cha Am, Thailand.
  • Silver Award: Skål International Guanajuato, Mexico.

Net Increase Awards

  • Platinum Award: Skål International Goa, India.
  • Gold Award: Skål International Coimbatore, India.
  • Silver Award: Skål International Côte d’Azur, France.
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