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Skal in Dubai begins `Just a Drop' move

DUBAI - Dubai chapter of Skal, the international organisation of tourism leaders

Shall provide a very strong platform to increase awareness of the 'Just a Drop' initiative strongly supported by French Bottled Water Company (FBWC), said Rajesh Arab, FBWC Commercial Director at a Skal function held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel on Monday.

Registered as Dubai Chapter 672 through the Skal headquarters in Torremolinos, Spain, the 80 Dubai members join more than 25,000 tourism professionals in more than 525 clubs in 80 countries in their pursuit for the sound development of tourism worldwide.

Speaking to Khaleej Times at the function, Mr Arab said, "'Just a Drop' is a global charity recognised by the Red Cross which provides clean and potable water to needy children around the globe. FBWC represents a brand called Sante. Under the 'Just a Drop' initiative, FBWC is donating 2.5 per cent of sales income from all bottles of Sante still and sparkling mineral water it sells across the region."

'Just a Drop' is the only global travel and tourism industry appeal dedicated to provide clean water to thousands of children and their families. All funds raised go straight to the work of the appeal.

Mr Arab said that as Skal is composed of members from the travel and tourism industry, it was important that they pull in their resources for a good cause. "Skal is a platform that will make a difference as it can gather support from representatives from the hotel and travel industry. Our product Sante was launched in 1992, and it is instrumental in increasing awareness of the 'Just a Drop' initiative throughout the region," he said, adding that among the areas the charity is focusing at are critical areas in Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, among others.

It may be recalled that Mr Arab and Tom Nutley, a 'Just a Drop' Trustee and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) Chairman, signed a deal during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in May this year. In addition to the 2.5 per cent of sales income for each Sante bottle, the deal also provided an opportunity for FBWC to work closely with RTE's representative in Dubai to recruit more companies to support 'Just a Drop' and increase awareness of the cause at any hospitality and travel trade related gatherings

The joint venture between RTE and FBWC will not only bring in more cash for the cause through sales of Sante but also through signing up more businesses in the travel trade to extend our work, according to Mr Nutley.

Omran Mostafa, Group Managing Director of Mostafa bin Abdullatif Group, the exclusive distributors of Sante still and sparkling mineral water, said that the brand will be associated with a charitable endeavour. "Sante is a pure mineral water, and we are proud to be a part of 'Just a Drop'. It may set an example for other bottled water companies as well as other companies and organisations to follow suit," he said.

The charity supports water, sanitation and health projects worldwide. It also assists in providing water-purifying tablets, water containers and hygiene packs to the victims of disasters, such as in times of major floods and earthquakes.

Polluted water is the biggest killer of children under the age of five, and recent statistics showed that 1.4 billion children do not have access to clean water close to their homes. Four million children die each year from water borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea. Approximately £1, $1.45 or 1.55 euros can provide a child with clean water for nearly 10 years.