A distinguished inauguration

The Congress opened with a distinguished gathering of government, tourism and Skål leaders. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr. S. Rajesh Kumar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu; Mr. V. Sambath Kumar, Minister for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes & DNC Welfare; Mr. Venkatesan Dhattareyan, Regional Director (South), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Sk. NSN Mohan, President-Elect (2027), Skål International; Sk. Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India; Sk. Ramesh Chandrakumar, President, Skål International Coimbatore; among other dignitaries. Their presence gave the Congress a strong governmental and industry endorsement from the outset.

Sustainability moves from promise to practice

Sustainability took centre stage in one of the Congress’s defining sessions, “Sustainable & Responsible Tourism”. Sk. José Luis Quintero Maeso, Mr. Vismiju Viswanathan, Mr. Vijay Prabhu and Mr. Sivaram Babu, brought perspectives spanning global tourism, ecotourism, hospitality, conservation, government policy and destination development. The discussion moved beyond the familiar language of green tourism to examine implementation gaps, responsible hospitality, traveller behaviour, community empowerment and the shared responsibility of every tourism stakeholder. Moderated by Sk. June Mukherjee, the Founding Editor of The Asian Footprints, the session reinforced a central message: sustainability is about protecting destinations, communities and cultures while securing a stronger future for tourism.

A programme built around ideas, business and place

The Congress continued with an energetic mix of sessions on technology transforming travel and hospitality, wellness and sustainable lifestyles, business leadership, destination heritage and culture, culinary and kitchen technology, and Coimbatore’s potential as a future hub for conferences and events. 

The SINC Showcase created a vibrant B2B marketplace where Skål members and industry partners presented destinations, hotels, travel products, experiences and innovative offerings. More than an exhibition, it became a platform for conversations, partnerships and new business possibilities — putting “Doing Business Among Friends” into action.

Coimbatore welcomed Skålleagues with warmth and character

The Congress placed the destination firmly at its heart. Delegates were treated to the region’s hospitality, cuisine, traditions and cultural wealth, while the evening at My Village – Eco Rural Resort, Anaikatti, brought the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of Kongu Nadu into the Congress experience. The rural setting added another dimension to conversations around community, culture and responsible tourism, while giving delegates an evening of friendship, celebration and memorable local hospitality.

AGM and a new national leadership mandate

The Skål International India National Annual General Meeting brought members together to review the journey so far, deliberate on organisational priorities and chart the next phase for the fraternity. The National Elections for the 2026–2028 term was subsequently conducted, with Club Presidents, Secretaries and their representatives from across India casting their votes.

The newly elected National Board is: Sk. Venkat Reddy, President — elected unopposed; Sk. Krishna Gopalan, Vice President 1 — elected by majority; Sk. Greesh B Jindra, Vice President 2 — elected unopposed; Sk. Sunil Satyavakta, Secretary — elected unopposed; Sk. Ravi Agarwal, Treasurer — elected unopposed; Sk. Dhatri Bharadwaj, Director PR & Communications — elected unopposed; Sk. Raja Gopal Iyer, Young Skål Director — elected unopposed; Sk. Vaibhav Kedia, Auditor 1 — continuing his term; and Sk. Amarjeet Ledder, Auditor 2 — elected by majority. The responsibility was formally handed over to the incoming team, while the outgoing 2024–2026 leadership was appreciated for its dedication and for strengthening the foundations of Skål International India.

A dazzling Gala Night of excellence and recognition

The Congress culminated in a spectacular Gala Night featuring an international-quality stage, world-class sound and lighting, an ethnic fashion show and beautifully choreographed dance performances before the evening moved into the Skål International India (Region 10) Excellence Awards 2026. Past Presidents of Skål International India present at the Gala were felicitated, while honours were also received by Club Presidents or representatives on behalf of those unable to attend.

Special recognition was accorded to Skål International Mumbai South for successfully hosting SINC 2025 in Mumbai and to Skål International Coimbatore for hosting SINC 2026 in Coimbatore. Friends of Skål — supporters whose commitment has strengthened Skål International India over the past two years — were also honoured.

Based on the nominations sent by the clubs to the national board, an independent jury board decided the awards based on the merit of the nominations. The Skål International India (Region 10) Excellence Awards 2026 recognised:

A new benchmark for Skål International India

From the first welcome to the final farewell, SINC 2026 delivered four days of outstanding networking, meaningful business conversations, strong industry dialogue, cultural celebration and enduring friendship. It brought sustainability into the centre of the tourism conversation, created tangible B2B opportunities, showcased Coimbatore’s hospitality and heritage, strengthened Skål India’s organisational direction and celebrated the people and clubs driving the fraternity forward.

Hosted with remarkable energy and diligence by Skål International Coimbatore, SINC 2026 leaves behind not simply memories, but stronger relationships, fresh collaborations, and a renewed sense of purpose. The Congress has raised the bar for national Skål gatherings — demonstrating that when nearly 500 tourism professionals come together with friendship, business and a shared commitment to the future of tourism, the result can be truly extraordinary.