As part of its commitment to supporting innovation, sustainability, and the next generation of tourism professionals, Skål Europe recently invited clubs across the continent to share their experiences and initiatives related to Sustainability, ESG principles, and Young Skål engagement. The responses received provide a valuable snapshot of the activities currently being undertaken […]
Yearly archives: 2026
28 posts
The introduction of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) marks one of the most significant changes to travel procedures in Europe in recent decades. Designed to modernise border management through the use of digital records and biometric identification, EES aims to enhance security while creating a more efficient framework for international travel. […]
From 29 September to 2 October 2026, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world will meet in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, for the Skål International World Congress 2026. Hosted at the Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre in Gqeberha, this flagship annual event represents the most important gathering on the […]
After four years at the helm of Skål Germany, outgoing President Jo Jungwirth reflects on a mandate defined by transformation, generational renewal, and global engagement. From navigating internal challenges to strengthening international connections, his presidency has been marked by a clear ambition: to modernise the organisation while preserving its core values of […]
On 25 March 2026 at 18:00 CET, the Skål Europe Academy hosted an insightful online session exploring the strategic role of tourist guides in responsible tourism. Featuring Sarah Janning-Picker, Skål member and Area Representative of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, the webinar highlights how professional guides contribute to quality, cultural […]
Reimagining Travel, Redefining Accessible Tourism What if the future of travel was not defined by where we go, but by who we enable to go there? In an industry searching for balance between sustainability, authenticity, and growth, a new model is quietly emerging in Southern Italy. It begins with a simple but […]
An Interview with Tito Livio Mongelli Regenerative tourism is emerging as a key evolution of global travel, going beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems, communities, and local economies. In this conversation with Skal Europe, Tito Livio Mongelli, President of Galileo.it and Skal Italia, shares his perspective on how bioethics can guide the […]
In Italy, history is monumental, tangible, and immediately recognisable, and Italians are used to living in it. When I was a child, the Colosseum used to rise in the middle of traffic. Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raffaello fill our museums. Entire towns like Florence, Siena, and Venice are themselves historical […]
In 2026, Skål Club Lugano reaches an important milestone: ninety years of friendship, professional collaboration, and commitment to tourism within the global Skål community. Founded in 1936, Skål Lugano has long been an active part of the international network that brings together tourism professionals to promote friendship, ethical business, and cooperation across […]
A Skål Europe Academy session with WFTGA on training, standards, and new cooperation opportunities for Skål clubs and tourism professionals. A conversation with Tito Livio Mongelli ahead of the next Skål Europe Academy session On 25 March 2026 at 18:00 CET, the Skål Europe Academy will host an online session dedicated to […]
In March 2026, Skål International Vienna will celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 90 years since its foundation in 1934. Over nearly a century, the club has played a vital role in bringing together tourism professionals, fostering international friendship, and contributing to the development of the industry in Austria and beyond. This anniversary is […]
A Strategic Opportunity for Skål Europe and Its Members Tourism in Europe is evolving within an increasingly complex framework shaped by sustainability objectives, digital transformation, skills development, and European policy. For Skål Europe and its national clubs, this evolution represents not only a challenge but a strategic opportunity to reinforce leadership, relevance, […]
Reflections from the International Tourism Forum – Milan, 23–24 January 2026 The 3rd International Tourism Forum, held in Milan on 23–24 January 2026 and organised under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, offered an important opportunity to reflect on how tourism policy is being shaped for the coming decade. The […]
On 16 January 2026, the Skål Europe Board held its first meeting of the year, marking the start of a new cycle of initiatives aimed at strengthening member value, visibility, and impact across Europe. The discussion focused on how Skål Europe can best support clubs and members in a fast-changing tourism environment, […]
Turning Commitment into Action at Club Level Understanding the Project Sustainability has become a defining issue for tourism worldwide, and Skål has long recognised its responsibility to promote ethical, responsible and forward-looking tourism practices. Across the Skål world, many clubs are already active in sustainability—sometimes formally, sometimes informally—through local initiatives, partnerships and […]
Tourism is at a turning point. Across Europe and beyond, destinations are facing mounting pressure from climate change, resource scarcity, social tension and economic volatility. In this context, simply maintaining tourism activity — or reducing its negative impacts — is no longer sufficient to secure long‑term viability. Recently, Skål Europe has published […]
A New Frontier for Tourism That Gives Back As the global travel industry continues to evolve in response to environmental and social change, a new paradigm is emerging that goes beyond sustainability: Regenerative Tourism. This concept challenges us not only to preserve destinations and communities, but to actively enhance them, leaving places […]
Why Creating Lasting Value Matters More Than One-Off Good Deeds In many destinations today, tourism is accompanied by gestures of goodwill. Visitors join beach clean-ups. Businesses plant trees. Donations are made to local causes. Short-term projects are launched with the best of intentions. These actions matter. They raise awareness, create moments of […]
What Changes in Practice When Tourism Becomes Regenerative For a long time, the tourism sector has tried to improve by learning how to do less harm. Energy efficiency became a priority. Waste was reduced. Emissions were measured. Visitor flows were managed more carefully. These efforts were necessary, and in many places they […]
When Long-Term Viability Matters More Than Short-Term Growth For decades, tourism has been one of Europe’s strongest economic engines. It has generated employment, supported regional development and connected cultures across borders. Growth was the dominant indicator of success: more visitors, more nights, more revenue. Today, that model is under strain. Across Europe, […]
Imagining Tourism That Strengthens Places Over Time Tourism remains a vital presence, visible, vibrant, and economically relevant. Cafés are open, guides are working, and hotels are occupied. Yet something feels different. The destination does not appear strained. It feels balanced, lived-in, confident in its own rhythm. Tourism no longer dominates the place. […]
When Change Is Driven by People, Not Badges Over the past two decades, tourism has increasingly relied on labels, certifications and global standards to demonstrate responsibility. Sustainability seals, rankings and benchmarks have multiplied, offering reassurance to markets and guidance to businesses. These tools have played a useful role. They have raised awareness, […]
On a summer afternoon in a historic European city, a resident watches yet another group of visitors pass beneath her window. Tourism brings life, employment, and cultural exchange—but it also brings noise, pressure on housing, and a feeling of loss of control. Across Europe, similar scenes unfold in cities, coastal regions, rural […]
Legal and Policy Framework, and Key EU Initiatives Tourism, Sustainability and the Role of the European Union Tourism is not regulated as a standalone policy area under European Union law. Instead, the EU plays a supporting and coordinating role, complementing the actions of Member States while shaping the broader legal and economic […]
Best Practices from Europe, for Europe On a quiet morning in a rural European destination, visitors gather not around a queue, but around a story. A local guide explains how tourism income helped restore a landscape, revive a tradition, or sustain a community. Nothing here feels spectacular—and yet, everything feels intentional. This […]
Skål continues to demonstrate its strong presence and influence within the Spanish tourism sector. The 2026 edition of the list of the 150 most influential tourism professionals in Spain has been published, and this year’s ranking brings particularly positive news for the Skål community. Seven Skål members have been included in the […]
FITUR Madrid 2026 is just around the corner, and Skål Europe is delighted to invite all Skålleagues attending the fair to come together for one of the most important tourism events of the year. From 21 to 25 January 2026, Madrid will once again host the global tourism community — and Skål […]
An interview with Laurent Quiege, President of Skal International Paris After a year marked by transformation, innovation, and renewed focus on communication in tourism, Skal Europe sat down with Laurent Quiege, President of Skal International Paris. With more than 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, a strong background in innovation […]