News in Brief: Friday December 20

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has called on the government to recognise tourism as an "economic development strategy".

Data from the Tourism Satelite Account shows that tourism outperformed the national economy, growing 50% faster in 2012-13.

"Tourism brushed aside the impact of the strong dollar and sluggish global economy," TTF chief executive Ken Morrison said.

Accor has signed its largest deal in Asia with the development of four new hotels in Korea.

The hotels will be the Grand Mercure Ambassador Yongsan, Suite Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan, Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan and Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan.

Tigerair has commenced services between Sydney and Perth which will add 112,000 passengers per year to both airports.

The six weekly service is the sixth new route Tigerair has launched this year.

"Our Sydney-Perth and Perth-Sydney services reinforces Tigerair's commitment to respond to consumer demand and enable as many people as possible to see more of Australia, for less," Tigerair chief executive Rob Sharp said.

"Initial demand for the route has been positive, particularly through the peak December travel period which is encouraging," he added.

Rail Plus has promoted Greg McCallum to the newly created role of general manager sales and marketing for Australia and New Zealand.

He was previously national sales and marketing manager, Australia.

Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) has called the National Member Update Meetings program a "resounding success".

The meetings took place over the last two weeks in Australian mainland capital cities to touch base with 200 local members.

"It allowed senior management to connect with the members over Christmas drinks following a formal presentation and openly discuss several key issues," MTA managing director Roy Merricks said.

Tune Hotels has announced the opening of two hotels in Davao, Philippines and Bekasi, Indonesia for 2014.

"Both Indonesia and Philippines are great markets for us and our rapid expansion in both countries signifies their importance," Tune Hotels group chief executive Mark Lankester said.

The AOT Group has appointed Dietmar P. Schulz to the inbound division working on Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Eastern Europe.

Aegean Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways that will operate four weekly flights between Athens and Abu Dhabi.

"By partnering with Etihad Airways, Aegean gains access to the Gulf region and South Africa as well as increasing connection opportunities to Australia," Aegean Airlines managing director Dimitris Gerogiannis said.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au