Seville will host the 68th Skål Spain National Congress, an event that Skål International Seville faces with mixed feelings: on the one hand, it is an honour; on the other, it entails a significant responsibility.
Under the slogan «Tourism with a Soul», the Seville-based club aims to go beyond the familiar image of the capital and introduce participants to another side of the destination: the province, its local produce, its cuisine, its traditions and, above all, the people who make the tourist experience possible.
We spoke to Manuel Domínguez Solís, president of Skål International Seville, on the philosophy behind the Congress and what they hope will stay with those taking part when the time comes to return home.
Manuel, what does it mean for Skål Seville to take on the organisation of the 68th Skål Spain National Congress?
For Skål Sevilla, hosting the 68th National Congress has two aspects: the honour of being responsible for organising it and, at the same time, the commitment involved in staging the event.
We would like to thank Skål Spain for the trust they have placed in us, and this compels us to try to recapture the spirit of those congresses where every hour was devoted to a common goal: getting to know one another better, sharing ideas and embodying our organisation’s philosophy, which is to make friends by working and collaborating together.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure the complete satisfaction of all participating members.
You have chosen “Tourism with a Soul” as the Congress’s motto. What does it mean to you?
For us, it’s a slogan that perfectly captures what we want to convey.
We want to look beyond concepts such as urban planning, history, culture and tradition to focus on the true essence of tourism.
Tourism is about discovering new places, cultures and traditions, but none of that would be possible without those who welcome visitors: the people, the tourism professionals. A large part of a destination’s success lies in its unique character and in the professionalism of those who work there.
We want to refine this approach to tourism, treating our guests as true friends and loved ones. That warmth, which comes from people who dedicate their lives to ensuring others can enjoy the things they themselves love, is, for us, the very essence of tourism.
Seville is world-famous. What did you want to bring to the programme that was different?
We are all aware of Seville’s enormous importance as a tourist destination, but with this conference we want to go a step further.
We don’t just want to show you the well-known side of Seville. We want to broaden the experience with new opportunities: visiting olive oil mills and wine presses, and combining these visits with culinary experiences in the province.
These are sites and activities that are not always included in the usual tours, and we want to give them the recognition they truly deserve within the history and culture of Seville.
The province will therefore play a particularly prominent role.
That’s right. Showcasing the province of Seville, even if only to a small extent, could open the eyes of many conference delegates.
We see the capital as the jewel in the crown, but we have the opportunity to share the rest of our way of life: the countryside, the olives, the olive oil and the agricultural produce that form part of our history and have helped us get to where we are today.
It is also a way of celebrating our history, our cuisine and the unique character of a province brimming with humanity.
A Skål Congress is also an opportunity to strengthen relationships amongst the members themselves. How important is this sense of community to you?
The Congress is an extension of Skål’s own philosophy.
All members have the right – and indeed the duty – to share our experiences with our fellow Skål members, so that our personal relationships become even stronger than our working relationships.
The two go hand in hand, but the most important thing is always the person: the professional, and the chance to share your life with people who see relationships in a similar way to you.
What role do you think Skål can play in the development of tourism?
Skål can make a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism by drawing precisely on the core principles of our organisation.
We must strive for higher quality, greater commitment and a more sustainable sector. All of this can help us to lead the way and play an active part in finding better solutions for the future of tourism.
Málaga and Seville are two key tourist destinations in Andalusia. Is there scope for greater collaboration?
I believe there should be full cooperation between the two clubs, and that this relationship could also help the authorities to view tourism from a broader regional perspective.
If we analyse it, collaboration between the two regions can only lead to an expansion of services and experiences.
Genuine tourism links between the two destinations, supported by transport links that facilitate a continuous flow of visitors — with a genuine high-speed service as the ultimate expression of that connection — would greatly enhance the potential of what we have to offer.
I sincerely believe that we could become a national benchmark by working together to create one of the largest and most attractive tourist destinations in Spain.
What would you like those attending the conference to discover about Seville?
Our unique character, our culture and our cuisine – but grounded in an understanding of what is authentic, of our truth and of where we come from.
We don’t just want them to visit Seville. We want them to May they enjoy the experience and get a real feel for Seville and its people.
Once the conference is over, how would you like the participants to feel as they return to their home towns?
We would like to have met your expectations and for all the conference delegates to have been completely satisfied; indeed, we would like them to feel a little sad at having to leave.
We would like this to mark a turning point in your perception of our region, and for you to return with an even more positive view, whilst also becoming ambassadors for everything you have discovered during your time in Seville.
And personally, as president of Skål Seville, what will organising this Congress mean to you?
In a way, my last answer ties in with my first one.
Committing myself to this Congress means wanting to share with all my colleagues our particular vision of the region, our unique character and our way of life.
I want to share everything we consider to be good and, above all, achieve something that is essential to me: so that they experience Seville as a Sevillian does.
There’s nothing more wonderful than sharing life’s simple pleasures with the people you care about.
Skål International is a melting pot of clubs, cultures, activities and countries, but, ultimately, There is only one true Skål: the spirit of tourism