Project Future: Skål International USA’s New Program To Shape The Next Generation Of Tourism Leaders

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Skål USA is dedicated to developing future tourism leaders by building strong partnerships between educational institutions and the professional business sector.

This initiative aims to “unite tourism worldwide” by building strong connections between the educational sector and the professional business community. The objective is to create programs that provide students with valuable real-world work experiences and industry insights as they start their careers, while offering Skål members access to a pool of talented and eager students interested in internships, mentorships, and employment in the travel and tourism sector.

Skål International, the sole professional organization focused on fostering global tourism and camaraderie, brings together all segments of the business world. Established in Paris in 1934, Skål International has grown to over 12,000 members across 83 countries. Recently, the organization has increased its focus on identifying and attracting promising young hospitality students globally to ensure sustained growth.

In 2023, Project Future was conceived through a collaboration between the NY Skål Club and the University of Florida in Gainesville. The initiative quickly garnered attention from other Skål Clubs, resulting in the committee expanding to include more than 30 Skålleagues from various clubs across the nation. Project Future has since become one of the five primary committees within Skål USA.

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and the travel and tourism industry by building partnerships that immerse students in real-world experiences,” explained Burcin Turkkan, M.B.A., CHE, and past president of Skål USA and Skål International. “Additionally, we aim to provide the travel and tourism sector with access to fresh, talented individuals. By fostering these connections, Skål enhances academic learning with practical insights, ensuring students are well-prepared for their professional journeys and equipping the industry with innovative thinkers ready to meet its unique challenges.”

Many Skål Clubs have successfully launched Young Skål Student programs, but there was a recognized need for broader expansion. Project Future Chair and former NY Skål Club President, Carolyn J. Feimster CMD/CRX, noted, “Project Future effectively rejuvenates this membership category by addressing its challenges and bringing in innovative ideas for Clubs to embrace.” A key accomplishment was updating the by-laws to facilitate smooth membership transitions, assuming specific criteria are met, from Young Skål Student to Young Skål Professional, then to Active member, and ultimately to retirement.

To guarantee that all Skål Clubs can benefit from Project Future, a variety of useful tools have been developed or are currently in the works. For Clubs looking to establish on-campus Chapters, a comprehensive Organizational Plan, originally designed for the University of Florida, is available for adaptation by any Skål Club and educational institution. Moreover, resources such as rack cards, PowerPoint presentations, website content, and an upcoming Business Plan are being provided to assist Clubs in enhancing their current Young Skål Student membership programs or starting new ones.

Future objectives for Project Future involve expanding the on-campus program nationwide, with the aim of setting up three Student Chapters by the end of the year and at least six more in 2025.