Skål International São Paulo celebrates 70 years with tributes and an agenda focused on the future of tourism

Wide shot of the celebration at The History venue.

Skål International São Paulo marked its 70th anniversary on October 20, 2025, at The History, bringing together leaders from the tourism trade to celebrate the journey of Brazil’s first Skål club—recognized as the 143rd club of the World Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals. Unlike corporate entities, Skål associates individual professionals, strengthening peer-to-peer networking.

Aristides Cury with Mônica Samia and Fábio Zelensky; Professor Mario Beni between José Mauro Orlandini and his son; Auro Nardelli, Patricia Bonetti, Vanessa Guerra, and Aristides Cury.

In São Paulo, the club is part of the Municipal Tourism Council (COMTUR) and the State Tourism Council (CONTURESP). Aristides Cury, the club’s president, serves as Executive Secretary of CONTURESP—appointed by its chair, Roberto de Lucena, São Paulo State Secretary of Tourism and Travel—and was unanimously elected by council members.

All Skåleagues present—current and future.

The evening included tributes to Leslie Benveniste and Ricardo Roman, both former presidents of Skål SP, representing the generations of Skåleagues who, throughout seven decades of uninterrupted activity, upheld sector best practices under Skål’s signature toast—wishes of health, friendship, happiness, and long life. The ceremony revisited historic milestones and highlighted the entity’s current role as a bridge between the market, academia, and the public sector.

Aristides Cury, president of Skål SP: “Skål International was founded in 1934 and, thanks to its work, became a full member of the United Nations. In São Paulo, it is a member of COMTUR and CONTURESP. Today, our entity is active across the territory, for example by promoting gatherings to debate themes that are essential to the sector as a whole.”

Walter Teixeira, president of Skål Brazil: “It is an honor to be here celebrating 70 years of Skål SP. Our focus is to bring in new Skåleagues among early-career professionals, ages 25 to 35, and to serve high school students, ages 15 to 17, through the ‘Turismo trampo legal’ program—promoting sustainable development from social, environmental, and management perspectives.”

Carlos Prado, chair of Skål SP’s Council and the first maintainer via the Tour House Group, emphasized a strategic commitment to gender and racial diversity among members, bringing in women Skåleagues and Black professionals. “We must face this challenge together and reflect reality (over 50% of Brazil’s population is female and over 50% identify as Pardo or Black) within Skål’s ranks.”

Mônica Samia, Executive Secretary at the São Paulo State Secretariat of Tourism and Travel—representing Secretary Roberto de Lucena—saluted all Skåleagues on the club’s 70th anniversary. 

The evening continued with the traditional S! K! Å! L! toast, followed by the “Anos Incríveis” show performed by resident artists at The History.

There were warm thanks to all maintainers and supporters of the celebration. Guests received 70th-anniversary pins upon arrival and a Visite São Paulo Convention Bureau luggage tag upon departure.

Toni Sando (representing Raffaele Cecere, Grupo R1); Auro Nardelli (Paxtour Corporate Mobility); Carlos Bernardo (Accor Hotels); Manoel Vale (Bradesco Corporate); Aristides Cury; Carlos Prado (Tour House Group); Luiz Henrique Miranda (representing Latif Abrão Jr., Hotel Terras Altas Resort & Convention Center); and Walter Teixeira.

Aristides Cury and Walter Teixeira with representatives from supporting organizations: Alesandro Freire (Correr com Propósito); Cristeny Benjamin (Orna); Luciano Oliveira da Silva (Movida); Fabio Zelenski (Visite São Paulo Convention Bureau); Wellington Marques (SPITI Seguros); Diego Uva (Conta Simples); Márcio Guerreiro (MG Eventos); Luiz Henrique Miranda (Director of Communications and Marketing at Skål International São Paulo and of Communications and Public Relations at Skål International Brazil).