Tourism Luminary
Skål International secretary general dies
(eTN) - The Skål International secretary general, Mr. Jim Power, has died, according to sources close to him. The tourism luminary is said to have died in his sleep at his home in Torremolinos, Spain, on Saturday, June 12, 2010.
The news comes as shock to many travel and tourism stakeholders as the late Mr. Power is one of the industry’s highly-regarded individuals. He was frequently seen in many industry events such as the ITB in Berlin and World Travel Market in London, as well as many of Skål events held in many parts of the world.
The late Mr. Power was recently in Frankfurt, Germany, for the IMEX where he had a conversation with eTN publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz. “I am really shocked and saddened at the same time upon learning of Jim’s death,” Steinmetz said. “He was a close friend to many and regarded with the utmost respect by the rest of the industry for his many contributions.”
The eTN publisher and member of the Duesseldorf, German SKAL club added: “I am at loss for words. I just met Jim during IMEX in Frankfurt and attended the SKAL dinner with him. I am a member of the UNWTO Task Force against sexual exploitation of children, and Jim was a big supporter for ECPAT, speaking out against sexual exploitation of children through tourism. He attended every UNWTO Task Group meeting in Berlin for many years.”
ECPAT is a global network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate child prostitution, child pornography, and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
The late Mr. Power was recently in Sydney on June 9, 2010 to attend the golden anniversary luncheon of Skål International. The event was held at Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour to commemorate 50 years since the club was first founded. One-hundred-sixty Skålleagues and their guests participated in the celebrations.
Sources say that he had become ill after his return from Sydney and had called in sick on Thursday. His staff did not hear from him for the remainder of the week, so they decided to check on him on Saturday when he was found dead.
According to Steinmetz, as a SKAL member, Jim was always the focus point for all 20,000 global SKAL members. “A good friend and partner, eTN is proud to be a strategic partner with SKAL for many years, and all of this is thanks to Jim Power. He will be missed.”
“Jim did a fantastic job molding together the disparate individuals, nationalities, and characters who make up the worldwide travel friendship organization that is Skål,” Steinmetz said. “That he does so with constant patience and good humor, speaks much for his own personality and strength of character.”
Born on June 23, 1949, the late Mr. Power attended Bridgetown College from 1962 to 1965. He was never married and had no children.
Skål is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry's managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional, and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
The first club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and friendship grew and, in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skål Clubs” was formed with Florimond Volckaert as its first president, who is considered the “Father of Skål.”
Skål International today has approximately 20,000 members in 480 clubs throughout 89 nations. Most activities occur at the local level, moving up through national committees, under the umbrella of Skål International, headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.
Skål International is governed by an executive committee of seven members, elected by delegates to an annual general assembly, held during the World Congress, which is hosted by a different country each year. This allows members first-hand observation of the travel and tourism potential around the world.
Comments
I hope you don't mind me adding my condolences to Jim's family on here since I am not a member of Skal.
When I left school in 1980 I went to work for Jim, I learned a huge amount over the next five years and I still fall back on things he taught me.
I remember clearly the day he took me to a Skal dinner in Murphy Floods Hotel in Enniscorthy as a reward, that was right back in the early days of his involvement, he was local secretary then I believe but he was already full of enthusiasm. So there is no doubt that Skal was a lifelong focus for him.
I know his family were close and will be missing him terribly, I want to say how sad I am to read of his passing.
TO JIM POWER
Dear Jim, Dear Friend,
It was Sunday 13 June 2010, ten days before your birthday, when we heard that you had left us forever for the longest one way trip of your life. You have escaped from life, leaving us all in great shock and sadness. It sounds like a bad joke. It is so unbelievable that I still feel the need to communicate with you through this last letter of mine.
1994 seems only yesterday when we first met in person during the Los Angeles Skål World Congress. Since then we have worked closely in Skål for all these years and more closely during my Presidency. You were always there for me, for all Skålleagues, present at trips, giving advice in order that Skål was correctly represented, correcting my writing in English whenever I asked you. I am sorry you are not here to check this letter, but I can see you nodding "it is OK never mind".
Remember when the tension was high due to heavy work and the various problems we had to face, how the humour helped us break the tenseness and enabled us to continue, as a good sense of humour was part of your personality. I am sorry I cannot use it now. I feel distressed.
Although shy and introvert as a person, when it was for Skål your public relations were impeccable. The interests of Skål for you were beyond any sentimentalism, sometimes with the risk of being misinterpreted.
But this was you Jim. A strong personality with a bright mind, with an astonishing memory, a huge organisational ability, perfectionism, excellent knowledge of Skål and, above all deep dedication to the Skål spirit. It is this dedication that made you ignore the signals of health problems and fly to Sydney to make the programmed inspection of the Congress, in spite of the doctor’s orders. The ultimate professionalism!
This professionalism helped you to understand and work together with the Skålleagues for a new, more professionally-orientated Skål and, in my opinion, this marked your presence in Skål. Since you became Secretary General you have managed to be the strong bond with the members, a point of reference that connected us all.
Your background as the General Manager of a hotel in Wexford in Ireland and afterwards providing sales-marketing service, financial information as a Director of CMV, a group of 50 Hotels in Ireland, together with your 20 years of service to Skål which included various posts, including that of the finance Director, gave you the experience, to cope successfully with your difficult tasks as a Secretary General of Skål International. Your colleagues at the Secretariat recognised a mentor in your face.
Jim, we refer to Florimond Volckaert as our father in Skål, France as our mother, who gave birth to Skål and I consider you our Brother in Skål. The large number of Skålleagues that have expressed their sadness at your loss, proves it. You will always be remembered by Skålleagues who knew you and shared fond memories with you. Rest assured that you will remain alive in our hearts.
I knew that the coming two years would be your last as Secretary General, before you retired and I am thinking how life could be for you without Skål, as Skål was your life! Difficult for you to adjust to! Maybe God in His mysterious ways thought that a quite sleep would be the best for you, but definitely not for your family and your friends; the family that you loved dearly and, especially, for your mother.
Ireland was another love of your life. You were so proud to be Irish! One could tell from the way you spoke about the beautiful sights of your country or the way you explained its tradition. This year was the last that I wished you a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” and you were so pleasantly surprised that I did.
In your heart was Spain as well, where you stayed for the last 15 years and in Spain you intended to spend your years of pension.
Music and especially opera was one of your preferences and we have shared, thanks to Lone Ricks, the experience of the Savonlina (Finland) Opera Festival. I recall how happy you were then.
Jim, Skål International will never be the same without you. We already miss you!
Farewell Great Skålleague, farewell Dear Friend, have a good last trip.
May God rest you in peace, and give comfort and courage to your loved ones to face your loss
Your friend in Skål
Litsa Papathanassi
President Skål International 2006-2007
Pavlou Mela 12 first floor
Tel & Fax +30 22410 78055
Mobile: +30 693 977 3225
e-mail: lpapathanasi@gmail.com
I shall miss Jim. We only spoke telephonically and via e-mail and yet, he made me feel like a close friend.
I learnt what it means to be a Skalleague from him.
To his family - may your pain and loss be eased in knowing his life was well lived.
God Bless
I have difficulty to accept and very much shocked with the loss of our beloved Secretary General and friend Jim Power. I have known him since 1993 and worked very closely with him during all these years. Working with him on the Executive committee and as the President last year, I can only say that SKAL was all his life. His professionalism, attention to detail, hard work and dedication for our organisation was exceptional. He has lead Skal through turbulent times right after his appointment in 1993 and left behind a solid structure put back together and a wonderful and capable team at Torremolinos who all have learned from him, to love and care about Skal over and above everything.
His personality, sense of humour and great wisdom will be remembered for many years by all those who knew him well. We all have lost a great friend,
May he rest in peace, May God Bless his soul and may HE give strength to his Family, his colleagues at the Secretariat and to all the Skalleagues worldwide to bear this irreparable loss. We will miss him.
Hulya Aslantas
President 2008-2009
Skal International
Nous sommes tous decus et tres touchés a Izmir par le deces de notre cher Jim. Nous avons eu la chance de faire sa connaissance en Turquie lors de sa visite avec le comité executif.Nous sommes fier d'avoir eu au moins l'occasion de partager un certain temps avec lui. Nous croyons qu'il est devenu a une etoile au ciel. Il va nous manquer mais il sera toujour la.
It is with shock and great sadness that we, Jim's family, have learnt of his untimely death in Torremolinos. Reading the many heartfelt tributes to him as a person and a Skalleague is a great consolation to us. It is wonderful to know that he was so highly thought of in so many spheres by so many people. We are proud that he served Skal so well and we know he enjoyed every minute of his time with the organisation and believed in what he was doing. We would like to reach out to his colleagues in the Skal Office and to his many Skalleagues everywhere, united as we are in grief.
On behalf of Rita Power, Jim's mother, his brother, Denis and his sisters, Patricia Boyd and myself, Anne O'Brien and his extended family circle, I thank you all for your tributes to him at this very sad time for us. He lived a good and useful life and may he be an inspiration to us all to live well in the future.
It still hasn’t sunk in that the friend, I shared with all Skålleagues, is no longer with us.
Jim was a true professional leader and a brilliant mentor for me after I became Executive Director for Skål International USA.
Let’s stand together to honor Jim’s work for our organization while Jim is surely organizing Skål among all the Skålleagues who went before him.
Jim, you left a big hole in our hearts and Skål.
At a time when true leadership is so dearly needed, may this moment of passing be used to celebrate a gentleman who was, and will always be, an example of leadership at its best.
God speed to all of those around the world who celebrate his life, and grieve his loss.
What a terrible, shock. I spoke to Jim in Quebec early in May and I can't believe that he has left us.
This leaves a large void in the Skal organisation and Jim will be sorely missed.
Malcolm Pynn
Skal Santa Fe.93jAd
We in Skal International, USA are so saddened by the loss of our Secretary General, Jim Power. I have personally known Jim for about 7 years, a time in which I can say I have become so impressed with his administrative capabilities, his warmth, his consistant demeanor and his love for our Skal family. I just recently spent time with Jim at our NAASC Congress in Quebec City, where we shared some laughs and great discussion on Skal. I am in shock, as are all the Skal members in the USA. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and co-workers.
Jim will be missed by so many...Peace my friend.
It was a big shock to hear about Jim passing away. He was really a pillar of Skal. Last time we met was just a few weeks ago in Canada. I can't believe he is no longer with us, and he will be sadly missed by all.
On behalf of all members in Belgium, I send my sympathies to his family & friends.
RIP Jim.
Ann Lootens,
International Councillor Belgium
Vice-President International Skal Council.
It is a shock to me and my family I loved him as my uncle and i will never forget him.I am very happy to see so many people cared about him.His mother,sisters and brother will sadly miss him and many more!
Dear Jim,
may your soul rest in peace. We are losing a great friend and Skalleague. We will miss you !
God bless
Heinz and all the members and friends from the Czech Republic
This weekend we just lost a great Skålleague... It's really a great shock receiving this sad information. He was systematically trying to get solutions and was very helpful... SKAL International Family lost a GREAT member and friend... He had no wife and no children, but we were from HIS family ! We'll miss you... JIM !
Jim was a kind, gentle-man with a strong hand on the tiller. Leaving big shoes to fill, Jim will be sorely missed by the Skal community and beyond.
Sleep well, friend.
While everyone in Skal feels great sadness at Jim's passing, we should also take great joy in the fact that a man such as Jim Power lived among us and was our friend. He was the consmmate gentleman and a true professional.
"May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand."
Jim Power will be dearly missed; not only by everyone in Skal, but by anyone who ever met him.
Rest in peace Jim. Your positive contributions to the development of SKAl and tourism in general will forever remain a reference point. The memories of your last visit to Nigeria still lingers on even after your visit.We'll miss you. Good bye
Jim Power - A monument in Skal International.
I have known him for many years.
Skalleagues will miss his presence and mourn his death for a very long time.
He is humane with a big heart.
May his soul rest in peace.
Everyone in Thailand and Asia is completely shocked at the sudden loss of our friend and Skalleague Jim.
One of the most professional, consistant administrators I have ever seen. He ran a very tight ship and he was widely regarded by EVERYONE. For most in involved in travel and tourism Jim was often the face of Skal Intl , a constant in an ever changing world.
Always ready to help everyone who asked, his answers and replies were perfect in form and content, no matter what time of day or night. He set a standard of administration that was truly remarkable.
His Irish roots were also very important to him. I think he particularly cherished meeting the Pope and Jim always had a smile and laugh for everyone where appropriate.
Jim was a consumate diplomat, a patient teacher and a mentor to many.
God Bless you Jim and may you rest in eternal peace.
Andrew Wood
Skal Intl Councillor - Thailand
& VP South East Asia.
This weekend we have lost a great Skålleague and I can not believe that this sad, sad news is true. I met Jim last time at IMEX and talked with him every day and during the Skål dinner Thursday night. I have known Jim since the beginning of the 90's and had often contact with him since then, as Coucillor for Norway for 8 years and member of the Excecutive Committee for 5 years, and Jim was always a professional leader of our organisation and a gentleman and a friend even if he had to deal with members with different background and culture and different opinions. He was our Rock, he was always there for Skål, he was the leader of the Secretariat who could help you with any Skål matter. Jim will be missed and it will be strange not having him at the office in Torremolinos. May he rest in peace. I will always remember our great Secretary General Jim P.
SKAL CLUB INTERNATIONAL.
========================
President & Executive Committee
It was indeed a shock to us, to hear the demise of Jim, he was a approachable and obliging person in the SKAL CLUB INT, in every way to assit our needs. we will really miss him.
May his soul rest in Peace and follow the Lord.
Robert & Jonathan
These are very sad news. Last time I saw Jim was at the IMEX dinner in Frankfurt - just two weeks ago. He was not only a highly regarded secretary general but also a good friend.
I am the new member of SKAL. I have had nice conversations over telephone and emails with jim. He was really a nice gentleman. He provided me all necessary information on SKAL and he really encouraged me to be SKALLEGUE.I will miss him very much. May the departed soul rest in peace.
We have lost a very good friend. I met Jim first time at Skal World Congress in Pattaya and he welcome so friendly. Everey year I met him again at IMEX and Skal dinner. Yes, I am shocked to loose such a wonderful an friendly man! Jim was SKAL and we bi SKAL for ever.
It's really a shock to get this sad news. Although we chinese always dream for such a peaceful pass away. We believe that only a people who have done many good things in life could be so lucky to leave in such a painless way. But it's really too early. I'll miss you so much.
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