Hyderabad prepares for SKÅL
Newly-elected president of SKÅL International, Nigel Pilkington identifies trends in the travel industry and talks about India's booming tourism sector.
SKÅL Delhi recently held its Annual Ball where SKÅL International's Executive Committee graced the networking event with their presence. Pilkington shares that apart from attending the exclusive event, the other agenda of their trip to India is in Hyderabad. "Since the SKÅL World Congress will be held in Hyderabad in 2017, we are heading there to sit with the Hyderabad team and see what we can do to help," says Pilkington. "We plan to gather over 700 SKÅLleagues next year."
Referring to SKÅL International's latest initiatives, Pilkington informs that modernisation is the next step. "During my tenure, I want to introduce change in this 82-year-old institution," he shares. "We need to change with the changing times, and as a result, we have introduced new categories for membership such as medical and sports tourism. As always, we will be constantly looking to increase our membership and grow our family."
Witnessing global trends, he feels that travellers have matured. He says that now, people want to experience more than just going to places.
Since the SKÅL World Congress will be held in Hyderabad in 2017, we are heading there to sit with the Hyderabad team and see what we can do to help
He elaborates, "They want to understand the culture, try different cuisines, network and connect with people from other cultures. One-on-one travel has become more popular than travelling in groups. Apart from that, while larger hotels will always do well, the smaller ones have become equally popular." He adds that environmental and sustainable tourism have also become an integral part of the industry.
While the tourism industry all over the world continues to grow, Pilkington opines that India's booming tourism sector is one of the fastest growing ones in the world. "The addition of new routes has opened it up to the world and every year, India draws a multicultural set of tourists. And with the way the government is taking steps to improve infrastructure, the industry can only grow."