Membership Qualification
How to join?
Active membership in Skål is limited to those persons holding managerial positions, or positions considered equivalent by Skål International, in the travel and tourism industry. Active members must work full-time in their position, be directly involved in sales, marketing or promotion work, or be engaged in the work defined in the Membership Classifications for the equivalent managerial positions and have a minimum of three years experience in the travel and tourism industry. This experience need not be in a managerial position. All persons proposed for Active membership must comply with Skål International 2010 By-Laws requirements and must qualify under one of the following classifications: www.Skal.org
01: President/Chairman/Owner/Chief Executive Officer
02: Vice President/Managing Director/General Manager
03: Sales Director
04: Marketing Director
05: Publicity Director
06: Public Relations Director
07: Commercial Director
08: Director
09: Sales Manager
10: Marketing Manager
11: Publicity Manager
12: Public Relations Manager
14: Manager
15: General Sales Agent or representative of these companies.
Young Skål membership is limited to persons who are tourism students or young professionals in the travel and tourism industry. They must have been a student or young professional in one of the Skål International accepted classifications outlined in the 2010 By-Laws. The requirements to become a member are:
- To be a student at an authorized tourism educational establishment which grants a degree or recognized diploma upon completion of studies or
- To be a Young Professional training for or working in the industry
- To be at least 20 years of age and not older than 29
SKÅL CLUBS
Section 1 - Membership in Clubs -
(a) Active membership
Active membership in Skål is limited to those persons holding managerial positions, or positions considered equivalent by Skål International, in the travel and tourism industry. The equivalent positions are specified in the Membership Classifications in this Article. Active Members must work full-time in their position, be directly involved in sales, marketing or promotion work, or be engaged in the work defined in the Membership Classifications for the equivalent managerial positions and has a minimum of three years experience in the travel and tourism industry. This experience need not be in a managerial position. The Executive Committee of Skål International may, at its discretion, accept senior management of companies or entities with less than the three years experience. However, such dispensation will not be given if the translation of the person's title on the Proposal Form is in question.
(b) Young Skål membership
Young Skål membership is limited to persons who are tourism students or young professionals in the travel and tourism industry. They must have been a student or young professional in one of the classifications described in Article I section 1 (b) for at least two (2) years. Skål International By-Laws Effective February 2010
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MEMBERSHIP PROPOSAL FORM PROCEDURE
Membership of Skål is open to all qualified professional persons in the travel and tourism industry but is first effective after Skål International has approved the member and informed the Club concerned of its decision. A currently valid Membership Proposal Form must be submitted to the Secretariat for all proposed Active, Associate or Young Skål members, together with any additional information specified for the appropriate Classification in these By-Laws. Where the Club is a member of a National Committee the Membership Proposal Form shall be submitted via that National Committee, which will check that the form is correctly completed, all required information is included and endorses the form as having been seen. A National Committee can however by vote at a General Assembly waive the need to sight Membership Proposal Forms in advance and under these circumstances all Clubs within that country can forward the Membership Proposal Form directly to the Secretary General who will copy the National Committee with the approval or otherwise. All proposed members require sponsoring by two Active, Life or Retired members, who have been members for at least two years, who do not work for the same organization as the proposed member and are not the President or Secretary of the proposing Club. This last point is because the President and Secretary are required to sign the "Affirmation" section of the Proposal Form, which confirms the details of the proposed member are correct. Should a Club be uncertain as to whether a potential member qualifies for? Active, Associate or Young Skål membership it is recommended that the Secretariat be contacted for advice, before the person is invited to join. The Secretariat's advice cannot be considered binding, as the final decision can only be taken after the Proposal Form has been received. The advice from the Secretariat will, however, give a clearer indication as to whether the person is qualified or not. N.B. The full and correct title for all proposed new members must be specified on the Proposal Form. Incorrectly completed forms will be returned to the Club for re-submission. The membership classification will comprise the two digits for the activity of the company and the two digits of the post held, i.e. 1103 – Airline Sales Director and numbers for proposed Young Skål members should be prefaced with the letter Y and 99 if they do not hold a recognized position.
BUSINESS CATEGORIES & CRITERIA FOR JOINING SKAL INTERNATIONAL
(I) AVIATION (Airlines, Airports and I.A.T.A.)
Active in the company:
11 Airlines
12 Airports
13 I.A.T.A.
N.B.: Under I.A.T.A. there is a limitation of one manager per country, the country Manager only.
Skål International By-Laws Effective February 2010
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(ii) MARITIME COMPANIES (Passenger shipping, sea ferries and seaports)
14 Maritime Companies
N.B.: Ports: Only the Managing Director of a port is eligible. Applications for membership from lake or river steamers, yachts and sightseeing operations shall be submitted under "Inland Waterway Operations". Not eligible for membership: persons working for crossharbour or river ferry operators.
(iii) RAILWAYS
15 Railways
N.B.: Not eligible as members: persons working for ski lifts or historical or model railways
(iv) AUTOCAR AND COACH COMPANIES
On the condition that they have an international status, either by the extent of their operations or the nature of their clientele.
16 Autocars and Coach Companies
N.B.: Not eligible as members: taxi owners or operators, drivers, guides or couriers.
(v) CAR HIRE COMPANIES (with or without driver)
Requirements that these companies should meet:
(a) that the nature of their operations, their clients and the activity of the establishment is tourism based.
(b) independent establishments which do not form part of a network of an international car hire company must have a minimum of
25 vehicles for hire.
17 Car Hire Companies
N.B. Not eligible as members: taxi owners or operators, drivers, couriers or guides
(VI) INLAND WATERWAY OPERATIONS (Cruising, excursions and hire)
On condition that they have an international status, either by the extent of their operations or the nature of their clientele.
18 Inland Waterway Operations
N.B.: Not eligible members: persons working for cross-harbour, river ferry or waterway taxi operators
(vii) HOTELS, MOTELS AND OTHER TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
Requirements that these companies should meet:
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify for membership, these companies must:
(a) fulfill the administrative requirements of the country, in the hotel category if this exists, for recognition as a tourist hotel including the additional services of a restaurant.
(b) be open a minimum of eight months per year
(c) have a minimum of 25 rooms, comfortably furnished to satisfy the demands of international tourism but no less than 10 double rooms when a proposal is presented for a high quality establishment or one with particular characteristics.
(d) have entrances, stairs and lifts for the sole use of the establishment.
(e) have a proven international clientele.
19 Hotels, Motels and Other Tourist Accommodation
N.B.: Not eligible as members: real estate agents, persons letting unfurnished accommodation or "timeshare" agencies. Skål International By-Laws Effective February 2010
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(viii) HOTEL CHAINS
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, it is required that:
(a) the hotel chain for which the candidate works has a management or administrative department, maintains a relationship as owner, franchiser or franchisee with the hotels, which make up the group, so that these are managed under trade names owned by the group.
(b) A list of the hotels making up the chain, which meet the requirements established in the hotel classification, must be attached to the application.
20 Hotel Chains
N.B. The candidate who is employed by a chain or group of hotels and works for one of the chain’s hotels will qualify under the hotel category. Those companies offering management services to hotel owners or chains must meet the requirements set out under tourism consultants.
(ix) TOURIST APARTMENTS
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify they must meet the following requirements:
(a) Fulfill the administrative requirements of the country in the tourist apartment category, if this exists, for recognition as tourist apartments
(b) The candidate’s company must exclusively manage a building or complex exclusively dedicated to this activity, which also includes timeshare and complementary services.
(c) The establishment will have at least 10 tourist apartments, comfortably furnished to satisfy the requirements of international tourism.
(d) Be open at least eight months per year.
(e) Have a proven international clientele.
N.B. The administrator of the building does not qualify unless he has managerial or commercial responsibilities.
21 Tourist Apartments
(x) HOLIDAY CAMPS, HOLIDAY CLUBS AND HOLIDAY VILLAGES
To qualify for membership the establishment must have fully furnished accommodation for a minimum of 40 persons, be open for guests for at least 8 months of the year, have a proven collaboration with travel agents or tour operators and have a proven international clientele.
22 Holiday Camps, Holiday Clubs and Holiday Villages
N.B. Not eligible as members: persons working for caravan or tent camping sites or places letting unfurnished accommodation.
(xi) TRAVEL AGENTS
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, the establishments must:
(A) Fulfill the administrative requirements of the country in the travel agent category, if this exist, permitting them to organize tourist services which facilitate and promote travel.
(b) Hold an I.A.T.A. license and/or form part of a national or international association of travel agents.
(c) Have a commercial office open to the public, independent of any other activity, unless it is an establishment which has its own offices in a commercial centre and that this is dedicated exclusively to the activity of a travel agent and other complementary services for the promotion of tourism, tourism information or the representation of tourism companies.
(d) Have at least two, full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the travel agents.
23 Travel Agents
(xii) TOUR OPERATORS
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, these establishments must fulfill the administrative requirements of the country in the tour operator category, if this exists, permitting them to prepare, elaborate and organize all tourist products. Skål International By-Laws Effective February 2010
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24 Tours Operators
N.B. The tour operators which distribute their products directly to the public and thus act as travel agents at the same time must meet the requirements set out under travel agents.
(a) Have their commercial office which is completely independent from any other activity and that this office is solely dedicated to the activity of tour operator.
(b) Have at least two full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the tour operator.
(xiii) TOUR OPERATORS INBOUND
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, these establishments must fulfill the administrative requirements of the country in the tour operator category, if this exists, permitting them to prepare, elaborate and organize all tourist products.
25 Tours Operators Inbound
N.B. The Inbound tour operators which distribute their products directly to the public and thus act as travel agents at the same time must meet the requirements set out under travel agents.
(a) Have a commercial office which is completely independent from any other activity and that this office is solely dedicated to the activity of tour operator.
(b) Have at least two full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the tour operator.
(xiv) TOUR OPERATORS OUTBOUND
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, these establishments must fulfill the administrative requirements of the country in the tour operator category, if this exists, permitting them to prepare, elaborate and organize all tourist products.
26 Tours Operators Outbound
N.B. The Outbound tour operators which distribute their products directly to the public and thus act as travel agents at the same time must meet the requirements set out under travel agents.
(a) Have a commercial office which is completely independent from any other activity and that this office is solely dedicated to the activity of tour operator.
(b) Have at least two full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the tour operator.
27 General Sales Agents
(xv) GENERAL SALES AGENTS
In order that persons working for these establishments qualify, these establishments must fulfill the following requirements:
(a) The general sales agents who do not also act as travel agents must indicate the international, tourism companies, which they represent. Those establishments who are also travel agents must qualify under the travel agents category.
(b) Have a commercial office, which is solely dedicated to the representation of tourist enterprises.
(c) Have at least two, full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the tourism products of the companies represented.
(d) Maintain commercial relationships with travel agents and/or tour operators in its area of representation.
(xvi) CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENT
In order that the persons working for these companies qualify for membership they must fulfill the following requirements:
(a) That the company, independently of its activity, has a full-time travel department, with its own personnel and offices.
(b) That the function occupied by the candidate in the company is exclusively that of the management of the travel department and
that the services offered are directed solely to the company’s employees.
(c) That the company’s travel department has recognition by an official body of their operation.
28 Head or other title of Corporate Travel office
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(xvii) OFFICIAL TOURIST ORGANISATIONS
29 Ministers for Tourism, senior officials of government organizations responsible for tourism (whether stationed in their own country
or abroad) and the full-time head of any official tourist organization responsible for the promotion of tourism on behalf of a country,
province, region or city/town.
N.B. The exact position must be specified on the Membership Proposal Form and the name of the place for which the person is
responsible must be indicated on the form under “additional information”.
(xviii) TRAVEL MEDIA (Press, Television and Radio)
Persons proposed for membership must:
- be employed full-time by a recognized travel/tourism magazine or newspaper, or by a magazine or newspaper which has a permanent travel/tourism section on a daily, weekly or monthly basis or
- be employed full-time by a regional, national or international television or radio company which has a permanent travel/tourism programme on a weekly or monthly basis.
17 Publisher
18 Editor
19 Journalist
20 Television producer
21 Ratio/Television Reporter/Broadcaster
N.B. The exact position must be specified on the Membership Proposal Form together with the themes, frequency, and space (in pages or time) and the distribution area of the magazine, newspaper or radio/television programme. Two copies of the last editions should be attached to the Membership Proposal Form when referring to a written publication or a certificate from the emitting authority with details of the tourism programme. Not eligible as members: freelance or contracted journalists, writers, reporters, producers or broadcasters. To qualify for membership the candidate is specialized in the tourism industry, to which he must dedicate the majority of his professional work.
30 Travel Media
(xix) VARIOUS TOURIST ORGANISATIONS
The * (asterisk) against the following categories means that approval is by the Executive Committee of Skål International and the additional information listed must be sent with the Membership Proposal Forms. Persons proposed must be employed full-time in the company, organization or entity. Travel and tourism education *
31 The Dean, Principal or Head of Travel/Tourism Studies at an accredited university, college or school granting a degree or diploma in travel and tourism and Senior Lecturers working full time in these training establishments N.B.: Not eligible as members: visiting professors or general teaching staff.
32 Congress and convention centers *
Only Congress or convention centers supplying proof of both national or international arrangements and clientele qualify.
33 Congress and convention organizers*
Only Congress and convention promoters, PCO’s and Destination Management Companies promoting events with a national or international clientele qualify
34 Reservations systems *
Reservations systems for transportation, package tours and hotel accommodation, whether computerized or manual, which give a national or international coverage. Skål International By-Laws Effective February 2010
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N.B.: Not eligible as members: persons working for systems giving only local coverage. The area of coverage must be included in "additional information" on the Membership Proposal Form.
35 Hotel and Restaurant Associations
Eligible as members: The Managing Director or other such title used by the senior executive, working solely for the association, Sales Manager and Marketing Manager
36 Travel Agent and Tour Operator Associations *
Membership is limited to the Managing Director, or such other title used by the senior executive and the Sales or Marketing Manager, all of who must work full-time and solely for the association: Eligible as members: Managing Director or senior association executive, Sales Manager and Marketing Manager
N.B.: Information as to whether the association is international, national, regional or local must be included under "additional information" on the Membership Proposal Form.
37 Major Tourist Attractions *
Membership is limited to the owner, senior executive under whatever title this person is known, director, sales manager and marketing manager only, employed full-time by the concern on an all year contract. Eligible as members: Owner or Senior Executive, Director, Sales Manager and Marketing Manager The following must accompany the Membership Proposal Form:
(a) Confirmation that the attraction collaborates with travel agents or tour operators to promote and sell their product
(b) Confirmation that the attraction has a fixed location
(c) Copies of brochures and other promotional material in all of the languages in which these are produced
(d) Confirmation of the actual number of annual visitors and that included in this figure is a proven international clientele N.B.: Not eligible as members: persons working in arcades, art or other forms of galleries, casinos or gambling establishments, circuses, fairgrounds, golf courses which do not meet with the criteria set out for golf courses in 42 below, monuments, observation towers, religious establishments, ski-lifts, sporting and social clubs, zoos or similar unless these operations can clearly establish that they are Tourist Attractions in their own right with other activities related to the travel and tourism industry. All applications must be accompanied by comprehensive support material.
38 Secretary General of Skål International
In the event that this person was an Active or Life member immediately prior to taking up the position, a normal membership transfer from the previous Club will apply, in accordance with Transfer Membership in Article I, Section 1 (b) of these By-Laws. The Secretary General cannot be an officer of a Club, National or Area Committee, or of Skål International, whilst employed in this position.
(xx) TRAVEL AND TOURISM CONSULTANCIES
39 Travel and Tourism Consultants
Membership is limited to the following positions: Owner, Senior Executive, Managing Director or equivalent, Managing Partner, Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, Commercial Manager and Senior Consultant Special requirements, which must be confirmed and shall accompany the Membership Proposal Form
1. The Consultant must work for a properly constituted and registered business entity – sole trader, partnership or limited company
2. The Consultant must work a minimum of 30 hours a week or more in the travel & tourism industry
3. The Consultant must perform one of the following roles:
- representative or agent for established travel & tourism principals
- business analysis and business planning for established travel & tourism principals, or corporations wishing to enter the travel industry
4. A Consultant must have a minimum of 5 years work history at a senior management level within the travel & tourism industry.
(xxi) Travel Insurance*
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Effective February 2010
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40 Travel Insurance offices*
Membership is limited to the owner, senior executive under whatever title this person is known, director, sales manager and marketing manager only, employed full-time on a year round basis and solely for the Travel Insurance Company. The company must:-
- Be a fully independent operation, marketing only travel insurance to the public through travel agents, principals and tour wholesalers.
- pay commission to their travel partners.
- produce literature that promotes the benefits of travel and travel insurance and does not contain other insurance options.
- participate in Travel and Tourism trade shows promoting travel to the industry and/or the general public.
- have at least two full-time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the Travel Insurance Company
N.B.: Not eligible as members: persons working for Banks and Credit Card companies which offer travel insurance as an incentive to purchase or use other services.
(xxii) Restaurants*
41 Restaurant Locations
Applicants must:
(I) Hold managerial* positions or positions considered equivalent by Skål International in the travel and tourism industry
(ii) Must work full time in their positions
(iii) Must be involved in sales, marketing or promotion work or be engaged in work defined in the membership classification
(iv) Must have three years experience in the industry not necessarily in a management position
*NB. Not eligible persons whose principal duties are Chef or Maître.
To qualify for membership the establishment must:
- Have seating for a minimum of 40 persons, be open for patrons for at least 8 months of the year, and have waiter service.
- Have a proven collaboration with travel agents or tour operators either by the payment of commission or mentioned in literature produced by them.
- Have a proven international clientele of at least 60%.
- Produce promotional literature and distribute it either through travel agents or tour operators to international clients.
- Have full time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the restaurant to the
travel and tourism industry.
(xxiii) Golf Clubs*
42 Golf Club Locations
Applicants must: -
(I.) Hold managerial* positions or positions considered equivalent by Skål International in the travel and tourism industry.
(ii.) Must work full time in their positions.
(iii.) Must be involved in sales, marketing or promotion work or be engaged in work defined in the membership classification.
(iv.) Must have three years experience in the industry not necessarily in a management position.
*NB. Not eligible persons whose principal duties are Golf Professional and Golf Course Superintendents
To qualify for membership the Golf Course must:
· Have a proven collaboration with Hotels and Accommodation Houses within their immediate area, making bookings directly with them on behalf of visiting Golf Club patrons.
· Have a proven collaboration with travel agents or tour operators either by the payment of commission or mentioned in literature produced by them.
· Have a proven tourist clientele of at least 60% of all golfing participation
· Produce promotional literature and distribute it either through travel agents or tour operators to international clients.
· Golf Courses with on site accommodation will qualify under the hotel category.
· Have full time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the Golf Course to the travel and tourism industry.
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43 SPAS
Applicants must:
(1) Hold managerial position or positions considered equivalent by Skål International in the travel and tourism industry.
(2) Must work full time in their positions.
(3) Must be involved in sales, marketing or promotion work or be engaged in work defined in the membership classification.
(4) Must have three years experience in the industry, not necessarily in a management position.
To qualify for membership the establishment must:
(1) Offer a minimum of four treatment rooms
(2) Offer full day spa package
(3) Offer spa amenities including lounge, robes, showers, food & beverage, fulltime dedicated receptionist
(4) Offer at least four Hydrotherapy services
(5) Have a proven tourist clientele
(6) Have a marketing/advertising plan directed to tourism clientele.
(7) Have full time employees who are directly involved in the sales, marketing or promotion of the services of the establishment. Eligible as members: The Managing Director or other such title used by the senior executive, working solely for the Spa, Sales Manager and Marketing Manager.
(c) Transfer Membership
(I) Active, Young Skål, Life and Retired members who change their place of business or residence shall apply through the Secretary of the Club of which he is a member for transfer to the Club at his new place of business or residence. The Secretary of the Club will forward the application for transfer to the new Club, which must accept the member as Active, Young Skål, Life or Retired provided that:
- the individual has been an Active, Young Skål, Life or Retired member of a Club, for at least one year
- His/her current subscription has been paid in full
- He/she holds a current membership card
When a transfer has been accepted, the member shall not be required to pay a second subscription for the year in which the transfer takes place.
(ii) In the case where there is no Club within a reasonable distance of the new place of business or residence the facility of "Transfer-Active" membership may be granted by the original Club. They continue to pay their subscription to their original Club and retains their voting rights therein and are permitted to attend the meetings of their own Club. "Transfer-Active" members can hold office at all Skål levels except at Club level.
(iii) The Active and Young Skål member who does not fulfill the qualifications under (I), above and who wishes to apply for membership of the Club in his new place of business or residence must do so in accordance with the normal procedure of that Club. He is not entitled to Transfer-Active membership.