Press Release

Sent to: All members of Skål International

25 October 2026

Dear Skålleagues,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the winners of the first edition of the Skålité International Awards 2026.

Hosted by Skål International Istanbul, the Skålité Awards Gala took place on 25 October 2026 at the InterContinental Istanbul Hotel, bringing together members of the Skål International Executive Board, the Skål International Türkiye National Board and Club Presidents, distinguished guests, and Skålleagues from around the world. 

Established by Skål International Istanbul 28 years ago, the Skålité Awards were created to celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and outstanding achievements across the global tourism industry. This year marks a historic milestone as the Awards have been elevated to the international stage for the very first time.

Taking the Skalité Awards to the international stage marks an important milestone for Skål International and the tourism and hospitality industry. It allows us to recognize and celebrate industry professionals whose leadership, best practices, and dedication have made a meaningful and lasting impact on tourism and the communities we serve. By bringing their achievements to a global audience, we honor their contributions and share powerful examples for established and emerging leaders to learn from and follow. For our Skål members, this international platform is a source of pride and inspiration, strengthening our bonds of friendship while encouraging us to share knowledge, raise standards, and work together toward a more responsible, innovative, and united future for our industry.

In this inaugural edition of the Skålité International Awards, 26 nominations competed across six categories, showcasing remarkable initiatives, inspiring leadership, and a shared commitment to advancing our industry.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the independent jury appointed by Skål International World President Andrés O. Hayes for their dedication, professionalism, and the considerable effort invested in the evaluation process:

• Hülya Aslantas, President Skål International 2009
• Rodrigo Álvarez y Jiménez, President, Skål International Mexico
• Franziska Düring, President, Skål International Germany
• Vorapat Chutima, President, Skål International Thailand
• Thomas Strodel, President, Skål International New York

Each nomination was assessed against established evaluation criteria, with scores independently awarded by the jury. The results were subsequently compiled and summarized by the Skål International General Secretariat to determine the winner in each category.

Alongside the international awards, the traditional Skål International Istanbul and Skål International Türkiye Skålité Awards were also presented during the Gala. The Istanbul awards were judged by a panel consisting of the Clubs’s Past Presidents and current Board Members. For the national awards, entries were assessed by a prestigious committee formed by the current Skål International Türkiye Board, all Past Presidents, and two former Skål International World Presidents, Hülya Aslantas (2009) and Salih Çene (2015), whose combined experience and expertise greatly enriched the recognition of excellence within the Turkish tourism industry.

Discover the Skålité Awards 2026 Winners

Click here to view the winners across all categories and celebrate the outstanding achievements recognised this year.

The winners and members of the Skål International Executive Board were also hosted by Skål International Istanbul during a special three-day programme, providing a unique opportunity to experience the renowned hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant spirit of Istanbul. A special appreciation is extended to Mustafa Yalcin, President of Skål International Istanbul, and his team, for their commitment and dedication in making this inaugural international edition a success.

We congratulate all winners and finalists, as well as every individual and organisation nominated. The exceptional quality of this year's entries reflects the talent, innovation, and commitment that continue to shape the future of tourism worldwide.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we invite all Skålleagues to begin identifying and recognising outstanding individuals and organisations for the 2027 Skålité International Awards. We look forward to receiving even more nominations next year and to continuing to showcase excellence from every corner of our global network.

Thank you for supporting this inaugural international edition and for helping strengthen the values of friendship, professionalism, and excellence that define Skål International.

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who contributed to making the first Skålité International Awards a success.

Kind regards,

Andres O. Hayes

World President 

Skål International

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