Hyderabad’s NSN Mohan elected SKÅL International World President for 2027
Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based tourism professional NSN Mohan has been elected SKÅL International World President for 2027, becoming the first Indian and Asian to head the organisation in its 93-year history.
Mohan secured the position at the 85th SKÅL International World Congress 2026 in Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. A member of SKÅL International Hyderabad 606, he will lead a global tourism network with approximately 13,000 members.
Following his election, Mohan announced plans to expand the organisation’s presence from 78 to 100 countries. He also proposed increasing its global membership to 15,000 and extending its network to 350 cities.
The election coincided with the 40th anniversary celebrations of SKÅL International Hyderabad, which has maintained its association with the global organisation for four decades.
NSN Mohan sets expansion targets as SKÅL International World President
Speaking to the media during the Hyderabad chapter’s anniversary celebrations, Mohan outlined his priorities for the 2027 presidency. He said membership retention, recruitment and international expansion would form the central elements of his leadership agenda.
“We aim to expand SKÅL’s presence from the current 78 countries to 100 countries and increase the number of cities in which we operate from 295 to 350. We also plan to grow our global membership from approximately 13,000 to 15,000. Equally important is retaining our existing members and strengthening the organisation at every level,” he said.
The proposed expansion would increase the organisation’s international reach while strengthening its existing clubs and membership base. Mohan also identified closer engagement with national and regional governments as another priority.
Mohan seeks stronger government engagement in tourism
The incoming SKÅL International World President said he wanted to improve cooperation between the organisation and governments on tourism development. He particularly emphasised the need to strengthen engagement with India’s Union Government and various State Governments.
“One of my key priorities is to make the Union Government and various State Governments understand the importance of SKÅL and the role it can play in tourism development and promotion. SKÅL brings together experienced tourism professionals from across the world. Their knowledge, networks and industry experience can contribute meaningfully to the growth of tourism,” he said.
Mohan maintained that the organisation’s international membership could support tourism promotion through professional knowledge, industry contacts and cooperation. His proposed approach included strengthening relationships between tourism professionals and government agencies responsible for developing destinations and tourism infrastructure.
SKÅL International operates across 78 countries
Founded in 1932, SKÅL International is among the world’s oldest and largest professional organisations serving the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The association formally came into existence in 1934 and maintains its headquarters in Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain.
Currently, the organisation has approximately 13,000 members and 295 clubs across 78 countries. Its Indian network includes 22 clubs operating across 19 cities. SKÅL brings together professionals from hotels, airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism boards, cruise companies and other hospitality enterprises.
Unlike associations representing individual industry segments, its membership covers several branches of the tourism sector. The organisation follows the philosophy of “Doing Business Among Friends,” encouraging professional relationships through friendship, trust and international cooperation.
It also promotes responsible tourism, environmental awareness, cultural understanding and international friendship. SKÅL International is an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism, formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Additionally, it maintains an established association with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and relationships with organisations such as the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
Hyderabad tourism sector sees international opportunities
Mohan’s election has drawn attention to the international tourism connections available through SKÅL International Hyderabad 606. The Hyderabad chapter celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of participation in the global professional network.
Tourism industry representatives said the new leadership position could help Hyderabad and Telangana establish stronger relationships with international tourism businesses. Potential areas of cooperation include destination promotion, tourism investment, hospitality partnerships and international visitor outreach.
The network could also help promote Telangana’s heritage sites, temples, lakes, forests, wildlife destinations and rural tourism experiences. Other opportunities identified by industry representatives include resorts, weekend tourism destinations and spiritual tourism.
Hyderabad could also strengthen its position in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment through international industry contacts. Furthermore, tourism professionals identified cultural exchange programmes, familiarisation visits and business-to-business meetings as possible areas of cooperation.
They also pointed to opportunities for connecting Telangana’s hotels, resorts and tour operators with overseas partners. D. Ramchandram, Co-Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), welcomed Mohan’s election.
He described the appointment of a Hyderabad tourism professional to the organisation’s highest office as an important opportunity for Telangana. According to Ramchandram, SKÅL’s international relationships could help local tourism businesses establish connections with overseas operators and investors.
He called for using the network to promote Telangana’s tourism destinations, attract international visitors and encourage investment partnerships. Ramchandram identified heritage, nature, spiritual and rural tourism as sectors with substantial development potential.
He also highlighted Hyderabad’s international connectivity and hospitality infrastructure as advantages for promoting tourism across Telangana. The FTCCI representative said Hyderabad could serve as a gateway for international visitors exploring destinations throughout the State.
He urged tourism stakeholders to translate the leadership opportunity into stronger partnerships, international recognition and economic benefits. Dr. Valmiki Harikishan, President of SKÅL International Hyderabad, welcomed Mohan’s elevation to the global leadership position.
He described the development as an important moment for the Hyderabad chapter and the wider Indian tourism industry. Harikishan emphasised the need to use the international recognition to develop tourism partnerships and promote Telangana among overseas travel professionals.
He also called for strengthening Telangana’s visibility as an international tourism destination through professional cooperation. Several tourism professionals similarly identified Mohan’s election as an opportunity to expand India’s engagement with the global travel and hospitality industry.
They pointed to the Hyderabad chapter’s longstanding international connections and the potential for cooperation across tourism markets. Mohan will assume the SKÅL International World President position for 2027 with proposed targets covering membership growth, geographic expansion and government engagement.