Skål is the only international organization which brings together all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Representing the industry's managers and executives, Skålleagues meet at local, national and international levels in an environment of friendship to discuss subjects of common interest.

Shortly after the inauguration of the first joint Swedish and French air service between Stockholm and Paris in 1932, a group of travel men from the French capital were invited to make an exploratory flight over the new route. The welcome they received in Stockholm led to many pleasant friendships.

Realizing the importance of closer relationships among those who strive to develop and promote both national and international travel, the men who made the flight to Stockholm were determined to found a permanent organization whose primary aim would be the creation of goodwill and friendship in travel and transportation circles throughout the world.

The Paris Skål Club was formed on December 16, 1932, with Rene Genestie as President. In 1934, twelve other clubs had been formed and Florimond Volckaert conceived the idea of uniting them into an international organization. The Association International des Skål Clubs (A.I.S.C.) was created on April 28, 1934, and Volckaert became its founding President.

On April 1, 1938, the Skål Club of North America (Skål Club of New York, No. 28) was founded.

As the first Skål Club established in North America, the New York Club assisted and guided in the formation of other Skål Clubs on this continent. Canada's first Skål Club was established in Montreal, followed by Vancouver and then Toronto.

From that modest beginning, Skål now has more than 25,000 members in over 500 Clubs, spread throughout 80 countries. As in other associations of professionals (such as Rotary, Oddfellows and Lions), most Skål activities take place within the Clubs, but the movement also features National and Area Committees coming under the umbrella of the A.I.S.C. (Skål International), which has its own Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.

Skål is managed by an Executive Committee of seven members, elected by Club delegates to the General Assembly, which is held in conjunction with the World Congress. This five-day Congress is hosted by a different country each year, thus offering members and their companions the opportunity of observing, first hand, the travel and tourism industry potential of other countries.

The Skål Toasts

To fellow skålleagues everywhere!
Happiness! Good Health! Friendship! Long Life!
Skål!!!

À nos skålleagues du monde entier!
Bonheur! Santé! Amitié! Longue Vie!
Skal!!!

Colegas de Skal en Todo el Mundo!
Felicidad! Salud! Amistad! Larga Vida!
Skal!!!