SKÅL International Chennai, one of India’s most vibrant hospitality clubs, successfully concluded its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections for the 2025–27 term at The Residency Towers, Chennai.
Taking charge as the newly elected President for 2025–27, Mr. P.S. Kamleshwaran of Southern Skies Tours & Travels expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members for placing their trust in him and his new board. He began by acknowledging the contributions and leadership of his predecessor, Sk. Shabin Sarvotham, and thanked the 2023–25 board, senior members, and past presidents for their continued guidance and support.
Sharing his vision for the future, Mr. Kamleshwaran laid out a clear roadmap that includes revamping the club’s internal working processes, launching a dedicated website and mobile app, and creating micro-committees for efficient management and leadership development. He emphasized the importance of inducting quality and sustainable members, making meetings more innovative and industry-focused, and providing a platform for smaller travel agents and hoteliers to showcase their products and services.
He stressed that all efforts would remain grounded in SKÅL’s core philosophy: “Doing Business Amongst Friends.” With Chennai already ranked second in India and the Asian Area, the new president expressed confidence that, with collective effort, SKÅL Chennai can surpass 200 members and become the number one club in the global SKÅL network.
The new board for the 2025–27 term includes Immediate Past President Sk. Shabin Sarvotham of GRT Radisson Temple Bay Mamallapuram; Vice Presidents Sk. Rajesh Radhakrishnan of The Park Hotel and Sk. Venkatesh Rao of The Residency Hotel; Hon. Secretary Sk. Suseendran P. of Associated Tours Madras P Ltd; Hon. Treasurer Sk. Manivanna R. of Shree Travel & Tourism; and Board Member – MDO Sk. Pankaj Katyal of Accord Metropolitan Chennai.
Also continuing to support the club are Senior Club Auditor Sk. Kanappan Babu of Bhagya Travels & Tours and Junior Club Auditor Sk. Jeyasekaran S. of Travel & More.
During the AGM, Past President Sk. Gopinath praised the outgoing team for their outstanding transparency and professionalism, especially in presenting detailed and easy-to-understand financial and secretarial reports. Outgoing President Sk. Shabin Sarvotham, in his farewell address, thanked the members for the opportunity to serve and assured his continued support to the new leadership. He also expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication and contributions of his board during the 2023–25 term.
Hon. Secretary Sk. Suseendran delivered a detailed analysis of the club’s performance, including attendance statistics and demographic breakdowns. Hon. Treasurer Sk. Lakshmanan followed with a comprehensive financial report, offering members a clear picture of the club’s fund position—earning wide appreciation from the gathering.
With a renewed spirit and a clear direction, SKÅL International Chennai embarks on its new chapter under the leadership of Mr. Kamleshwaran, continuing its legacy of excellence while striving toward even greater heights in the world of tourism and hospitality networking.
The well-attended event welcomed over 90 members, who were later joined by their spouses and families to celebrate the occasion in a spirit of camaraderie and unity. The meeting began on a solemn note, with members observing a minute of silence in memory of four respected members who passed away during 2024–25. This reflective gesture highlighted the strong bonds and shared values that unite the SKÅL fraternity in Chennai.
Established in 1960, SKÅL International Chennai is now the second-largest SKÅL club in India with 169 active members. The club convenes 8–10 times annually, hosting lunches and dinners at various venues across the city. Over the years, SKÅL Chennai has been represented with pride by its members at national, Asian, and global platforms—thanks to its many seasoned professionals and former presidents from the hospitality industry.
