IBTM – SKAL INTERNACIONAL – TRAVELLER TIMES ,”Tourism”

By José Aleixandre Caballero

There is, in my view, one of the magic words that unites more human beings around the world: “Tourism”. In my opinion, since humans have existed, it has been practiced in its various versions… but all of them have had as a “live motive” to live new experiences with the hope of being welcomed as a traveler… receiving a warm welcome, food, and shelter…

A movement of people that, over time, has become a basic need for humans… for some, vacations that take us away from our daily routine, whether visiting cities or the beach… Traveling not only provides us with well-being and culture… it’s much more… it connects us with different ways of life and customs, because peaceful contact with its people enriches us… Some of our experiences we wouldn’t live outside the tourism world, and those of us who have had the luck to learn from the many experiences that this great industry has provided and provides, feel “fortunate apprentices” for the immensity of human experiences generously shared with true wise men and masters of their own cultures… Tourism transmits peace, enriches our culture .

it’s excitement and is immensely generating emotions and surprises… and… when you think that your years of dedication to it have lost relevance and are only part of your past… the opportunity to live a new current experience jumps up again…

Mr. Dalton Zahir and this humble “old apprentice” met at IBTM 2025 Barcelona, during a courtesy visit to the Skal International stand at the fair. Mr. Dalton Zahir, with great courtesy and perspicacity, started a conversation with the writer of this article about tourism… I must confess that it was the first time we met and that we knew nothing about each other… it was a wise conversation on his part, and very interesting about the world of tourism that made us travel in time… and, of course, we talked about Skal… “we imagined” in one of the conversations, how those four friends came to the foundation of SKAL INTERNACIONAL in 1934. They decided to base its purpose on the diffusion among professional friends of the tourism industry through the creation of international associations, today existing all over the world, generating meetings whose purpose was to promote the Network among them based on honorability, sincerity, friendship, and credibility… and how its path has evolved to the brilliant present, generating meetings…

At this point in “our opinions”… Dalton and I… were already “friends”… yes… that’s also one of the greatness of tourism and its agents… we are like that… we break “barriers” immediately with respect and keeping affection, because what matters is the human connection…

That’s how Dalton explained to me that he was the Editor-in-Chief of the TRAVELLER time magazine and that after “our” interesting “talks” he thought that writing anecdotes about tourism was something that invited me to do… I let him know that this “humble old human being” didn’t feel capable of writing stories about such an exciting world… I didn’t pretend to be a writer, not being erudite in tourism matters beyond my experiences… consequently, I feared that the results could damage his personal image and the reputation gained by the TRAVELLER time magazine.

Today, having become a writer apprentice… I feel proud to be part of the tourism world and I reaffirm my rvor for service to the guest, generator of tourism wealth, I feel great respect for the traveler from whom I continue to learn every day…

Thank you, Dalton, for the experience you’ve offered me.

April 2026
José Aleixandre Caballero
Technical Director Consultant of Companies and Tourism Activities. 

Who is Dalton Zahir ?

Dalton Zahir is a globally recognised expert in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Management, having dedicated himself to this field since 2001.
With an extensive background, he has successfully overseen the pre-opening of more than seven hotels and resorts, achieving exceptional revenue outcomes and maintaining high-performance standards.

His expertise encompasses a wide array of sectors, including Destination Management Companies (DMC), Travel Management Companies (TMC), Event Management Companies (EMC), air ticketing, visa assistance, student consultancy, and recruitment agency consultancy. Dalton has also collaborated with Porto Business School at the University of Porto, concentrating on Global HR Management, Multinational Company Products, and the International Investment & Business Summit.

In leadership roles, he has served as the President of the European Chapter of the International Ecotourism Society and has held esteemed positions within SKAL International Madrid and the PATA New York Chapter.
His contributions to the tourism industry in Bangladesh are noteworthy, having served as Co-Chairman of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Standing Committee of the FBCCI, Director of the Tourism Development Association of Bangladesh, and as a member of various associations, including the Tourism Alliance Society and the photographic Society PSA,BPA.

Dalton is also the Secretary General of the Save the Rivers Bangladesh Society and has acted as an ambassador for Asia for CIFFT, the organiser of the World Tourism Film Award. His diverse talents extend to freelance work as an author, poet, and journalist, with seven published books to his name.
He is the Editor of an international travel news magazine, Travellertimes.net.

With 25 years of multifaceted experience in hotels and resorts—encompassing front office operations, food and beverage, public relations, sales, and marketing—he has also excelled as a tour guide, photographer, and in tourism management and media relations.
Furthermore, he has acted as a global real estate consultant, facilitating the launch of multinational products such as Apple Computers, Motorola Mobile, Fujifilm Digital Cameras, and Philips Mobile in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Dalton is keen to explore full-time, part-time, or collaborative opportunities that promote mutual success. A passionate traveller, he has visited over 51 countries and currently resides in Lisbon, Portugal. For further communication,
Dalton Zahir (officially known as Mohammad Zahirul Islam) can be reached at +351 938 707 061 or via email at dalton@travellerkey.com and editor@travellertimes.net.

M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir | TT Desk