Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest. The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and friendship grew and, in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skål Clubs” was formed with Florimond Volckaert as its first President, who is considered the “Father of Skål”. Skål International today has over 12,000 members in 306 Clubs throughout 76 nations. Most activities occur at local level, moving up through National Committees, under the umbrella of Skål International. Skål International New Zealand has a total of five clubs spread throughout New Zealand. The inaugural club, Wellington, was formed in 1957. Auckland and Christchurch followed along with Queenstown and the latest, Te Tauihu (Top of the South Island). Currently, New Zealand boasts over 250 Skål members across the country. Each club meets regularly providing opportunities for ‘doing business amongst friends’. In addition, all members have the opportunity to gather nationally at mid-year meetings and the annual Annual General Meeting and Congress not to mention global events, such as the World Congress. Skål is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members - the industry's managers and executives - meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest. #skalnewzealand