Skal Kenya and Skal club of Ghana have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to develop and strengthen the collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of hospitality, tourism and travel.
Based on equal rights and mutual benefits, in compliance with their respective national legislation and international commitments undertaken by the parties, they shall help in reviving the tourism sector by partnering in marketing for each other‘s products.
Speaking with the media, President Skal Kenya national committee Mehboob Harunani, said that the MoU will help in promoting tourism and increasing bilateral tourism flows with emphasis on cultural tourism, adventure and nature tourism, sports tourism, sun and beach tourism and tourism organised for groups.
Harunani added that all the Skal members in both countries in the field of hospitality, tourism and travel; owning hospitality and tourism training institutions will partner to provide training, coaching and mentoring with focus on the growth of potential young Skal professionals employed and students enrolled in the respective sector.
“We are planning to create and extend a fast track exchange programme with emphasis to build on existing capacities for better customer service. A youth empowerment programme teaching resilience, mindset growth and foundation with emphasis on coaching and mentorship, cross exposure internship programmes at reputable hotels, tours and travel companies,” said Harunani.
He noted that the partnership will also help promote the image of the two countries, provide a platform for members to participate in seminars, conferences, exhibitions, symposia and congresses related to tourism and related issues, as well as any other activities that pose a potential for tourism development for both countries, to encourage and support the exchange of experience.
Julia Dabab who is the International Skal Council President, said that the MoU will present various opportunities to Africa urging other countries that are members of the organisation to collaborate and help boost tourism.
Dabab commended Kenya for the amazing job through the magical Kenya branch that takes people around the country.
“We need collaboration as Africa and stop depending on others doing almost everything for us. We need to do an amazing marketing job to market our destinations,” said Dabab.
President Skal club Ghana Stella Appenteng urged members not to take the MoU as just a document but to be worked for and looked out to yield results.
“As a country we are looking forward to this collaboration and we urge business people to join our club as they will get visible to various members, get external exposure to the organisation,” she said.
Skal International is a professional organisation promoting global tourism and friendship, uniting all sectors of the tourism industry.
There are more than 317Skal clubs along 101 countries with almost 13,000 members.
The Skal Kenya national committee oversees two clubs namely: Skal Kenya Nairobi and Skal Kenya Coast consisting of a total of 209 members who are executives and managers in various companies in the tourism, travel and hospitality sector.
By Chari Suche
