Skål International

Skål International Kuala Lumpur

We are the Champions, my Friends!

A Memorable Asia Area Congress in Macau, 2026, for Skål International Kuala Lumpur!

The Skål International Asia Area Congress, recently held in Macau from June 11 – 14th 2026, wherein our Macau hosts killed the fatted calf, so to speak, for the attending Skål Delegates from countries as far West as Bahrain and as far East as Japan.

This prestigious Event in the Skål Asia calendar was graced by the presence of our Asian homegrown President Elect, N.S.N. Mohan, and Skål International Director Ms Dushyanthi Jayaweera, with Director Mr José Luis Quintero from Skål International in attendance.

In accordance with the fraternity and solidarity of Skål International, the Event even attracted two Skålleagues from Budapest, Hungary, including one of their Young Skål members!

What a spectacular Event from start to finish, with President Vinzenz Rosa di Pauli and his Team pulling out all the stops, as it were, to ensure that the Congress ran without a single hitch. Kudos to the President and his remarkable Team Macau for such an exceptionally amazing Congress, for which the Skål Club of Macau is well-renowned.

Skål International Macau has certainly raised the bar and set a tough act for Skål International Kuala Lumpur, the next hosts of the Asian Area Congress in 2027, to follow. As a first measure to kickstart the 2027 proceedings, Skål International Kuala Lumpur hosted a lunch for all Delegates at the conclusion of the AGM. The Malaysian-themed lunch fare, courtesy of the Lisboa Palace Hotel’s in-house Malaysian chef, Simon from Ipoh, Malaysia, featured an authentic spread of local delicacies and signature dishes, enjoyed by all in attendance. To complement the Malaysian Lunch spread, the waiters were attired in Malaysian batik shirts, and the décor was complemented with similar batik-themed tablecloths.

Orchestrating such a Function remotely is no mean feat. Skål International Kuala Lumpur’s Vice President, Ms Shirley Lai, herself a renowned hotelier for more than 50 years, single-handedly took on the mammoth task of ensuring that the cuisine and décor arrangements were perfectly manicured and executed. Sparing no room for error, Shirley orchestrated the entire Function with due diligence and clockwork precision, so that every Delegate was well gratified when they left the Lunch Venue.

Complemented by Skål International Kuala Lumpur’s Past President, YM Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, reaching out to the Tourism Malaysia’s Office Principals in Kuala Lumpur, to obtain supplementary giveaway gifts of beautifully crafted Malaysian-themed mugs and lapel pins, and the attendance of Mr. Yoganthiran Manikam, Malaysian Consul General representative for Hong Kong and Macau, who delivered a short welcome speech highlighting the forthcoming 2027 Congress in Kuala Lumpur, the Delegates were well-lubricated with enough incentives to be in Kuala Lumpur next year.

The crowning achievement, which will go down very well in the chronicles of Skål International Kuala Lumpur, is winning the most prestigious Honour amongst all of Skål International Asian Area Awards

The Club of the Year 2026 Award.

The prestigious accolade places the Malaysian Chapter of Skål International (Asia) amongst the Region’s most outstanding organisations in the tourism industry. Selected from among 42 Skål Clubs across Asia, the Award recognises excellence in leadership, member engagement, industry contributions, club activities, regular charitable quests and contributions, growth initiatives, green sustainability joint activities with other notable green organisations, networking, and commitment to advancing tourism and hospitality in the region.

The achievement represents a significant moment not only for Skål International Kuala Lumpur but also for Malaysia’s tourism industry, highlighting the country’s growing influence and leadership within the regional tourism community.

Commenting on the achievement, Mahendran Daniel, President of Skål International Kuala Lumpur, said:

“Winning the Skål International Asia Club of the Year Award … is a truly proud and humbling achievement. This recognition belongs to every member of Skål International Kuala Lumpur, past and present, whose dedication, friendship, and commitment have helped shape our club into what it is today.”

The recognition comes at a particularly significant time, as Skål International Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the 56th Skål International Asia Congress 2027, to be held from 27 to 30 May 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Held under the theme “Bridging Asia. Empowering Global Tourism,” the Congress is expected to attract tourism leaders, hospitality executives, destination marketers, travel professionals, government representatives, and industry stakeholders from across Asia and beyond.

The four-day programme will feature high-level networking sessions, tourism forums, business-to-business engagements, cultural experiences, destination showcases, and strategic discussions to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and growth.

Mahendran Daniel added:

“This Award gives us tremendous momentum as we prepare to welcome Skålleagues and tourism leaders from across Asia to Kuala Lumpur in 2027. We look forward to showcasing Malaysia’s renowned hospitality, vibrant culture, world-class tourism offerings, and our vision for stronger regional collaboration.”

“Hosting the 56th Skål International Asia Congress presents a unique opportunity to bring together the region’s tourism community, foster meaningful partnerships, and contribute to the future development of tourism across Asia.”

As one of Asia’s longest-established Skål clubs, Skål International Kuala Lumpur has played an active role in supporting tourism development, professional networking, and industry collaboration for nearly seven decades.

The Club of the Year Award recognition further strengthens Kuala Lumpur’s position as a leading destination for tourism, business events, and international industry gatherings, while reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to fostering tourism excellence and regional cooperation.

With the Region’s highest Club Honour now secured, attention turns to Kuala Lumpur’s preparations for what is expected to be, it is hoped, one of the most significant Skål Events in recent years.

See you there in Kuala Lumpur in 2027!

Let’s celebrate in Style … 68 Not Out!!

Skål International Kuala Lumpur, still energised and floating on Cloud Number 9 after its win at the Asian Area Congress in Macau for the Club of the Year Award, decided that jubilation and celebration were the order of the day!

The Executive Committee kicked off the first round of commemorations with a wonderfully cosy home-cooked lunch at the home of Richard & Rowena Hawkins in the lovely city of Kuala Lumpur. Kicking off at 1100 hours, the entire Skål International Kuala Lumpur ExCom guests, headed by President Mahendran Daniel and Vice President Shirley Lai, complemented by a couple of the host’s friends and potential Skål members joining the celebrations, launched what would be a marathon-long luncheon, with Rowena’s signature welcome cocktail of Prosecco embellished Crème de Cassis, to get everyone in the right mood.

The midday meal thereupon proceeded with a fusion of Swiss Raclette as a starter, and in contrast, was followed by all home-cooked, delicately poached Hainanese Chicken & Roasted Duck Rice with all the trimmings. Rowena showcased her culinary skills after bringing home various ingredients from a recent trip to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to feature Sri Lankan fare consisting of hoppers, Ceylon curried vegetables, replete with all the requisite Sri Lankan authentic condiments like Seeni sambol, ‘Katta’ sambol, Maldive fish sambol & ‘Pol’ sambol, courtesy of the Taj Samudra hotel in Colombo. The condiments were cooked and prepared by their Chef and hand-carried back to Kuala Lumpur by Air!

And what a feast it was, culminating with a buffet of different desserts, including but not limited to the Sri Lankan ubiquitous ‘wattalapam’, and a marriage of mango and raspberry fruits doused with locally homemade coconut ice cream, and finished off with Kahlua-infused Italian espresso.

The next Event was an official Skål Club Meeting and Dinner, and the celebratory dinner was hosted by the Club at the BBQ National Restaurant at the Pavilion Elite. A total of 20 Members and their guests attended a splendid BBQ fusion dinner, hosted on a more conservative and reserved basis, in order to provide a level of decorum for the Muslim members and guests. Only 8 members were absent owing to being overseas on the date of the Event.

The fare was most welcoming, and the restaurant went the extra mile to provide a variety of cuisines to the Skalleagues in attendance. The restaurant had several chefs on call who stood by to create whatever fusion dish was ordered from the range of Barbequed fare. A most interesting way to view Barbeque meals.

During the dinner, President Mahen addressed the gathering and magnanimously dedicated the award to every single Skal member of the Kuala Lumpur Chapter, both present and past, stating that the combined efforts of all the Members have realised this wonderful achievement for the Club.

He also drew attention to the forthcoming Asian Area Congress in 2027 to be held in Kuala Lumpur and requested all the Members and supporters of Skål Kuala Lumpur to have a hands-on take on its organisation and hosting to make Malaysia Truly Asia.

Our Forests Are Our Future

Skål International