Bangkok (Thailand) – August 25, 2015 (travelindex.com) – Tourism and hospitality professionals in Bangkok received a boost today (August 26) from the news that the city has been shortlisted to host the Skal International World Congress 2017.

The Skal Club Bangkok applied to host the popular annual event and prevailed against strong competition from five other Skal Clubs from Hyderabad, Stavanger, Toronto, Miami and Copenhagen.

Hyderabad is also on the shortlist, but the final decision will be made by secret ballot of all voting Skal members attending the 2015 World Congress in Torremolinos, Spain, at the end of October.

Skal members in Bangkok believe that up to 1,000 delegates could travel to Thailand for the 2017 World Congress if Bangkok wins the vote in Spain.

Skal International Bangkok President Dale Lawrence said: “The decision to shortlist Bangkok reinforces our belief that the city is a world-class destination for both business and leisure travelers, and it is a welcome show of confidence for everyone working in Thailand’s tourism industry following the tragic event of August 18.”

“Our bid to host the World Congress has enjoyed the enthusiastic support of the country’s Minister of Tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, and I have no doubt that she will receive the news with great enthusiasm.”

Skal Bangkok's offer is also supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Thailand, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Contact information: Dale Lawrence, President – ​​Skal International Bangkok, Tel.: 084 6407 007, Email: [email protected]; Brinley Waddell, International Skal Council Chairman – Skal International Thailand, Chairman of the Bid Committee, Tel.: 0813058172, Email: [email protected]