News in Brief: Monday May 19

Independent Travel Group has confirmed that four more italktravel store locations have been signed to open on July 1.

The new additions include three agencies in New South Wales and one in South Australia.

ITG revealed it is processing expressions of interest for another 22 locations across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

“We are delighted with italktravel’s quick pick-up by quality agents, nationally,” chief executive Tom Manwaring said. “We’ll have 10 locations come July, we’re very confident 30 stores will be opened by the end of the year and that we’ll hit our target 100 stores by end of 2015.”

Singapore Airlines will suspend services to Cairo in Egypt and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from September 30 and September 28 respectively due to the “sustained weak performance” of both routes.

Customers holding confirmed tickets for travel after the suspension dates will be eligible for refunds, without administrative fees or penalties.

The airline confirmed efforts will be made to contact affected customers to offer alternative travel options.

Hotels in Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct have withstood disruption caused by the closure and subsequent demolition of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, according to operator Accor.

The French company, the largest accommodation operator in the precinct, reported a strong first quarter of the year despite the absence of business generated by SCEC with occupancies in fact rising by 3% compared with the previous corresponding period.

Marine biologist John Gaskell has joined Daydream Island Resort and Spa in the Whitsundays as the new manager of the Living Reef team.

The resort’s Living Reef is one of the world's largest man-made living coral reef lagoons and features more than 140 species of marine fish and 83 species of coral.

Solomon islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) has indicated a strong future for eco-tourism in the destination, with chief executive Josefa Tuamoto describing the newly opened Titiru Eco Lodge in Rendova, Western Province, as a perfect example of how developments should be undertaken in the future.

“Geographically and culturally we offer the world a unique product,” he said. “Introducing this type of responsible tourism product that conserves our pristine environment while helping to improve the welfare of the local people is very much the way forward for this destination.

Etihad will establish its own dedicated flight college in the UAE for Emirati and international cadet pilots.

Etihad Flight College will launch following the acquisition of the fixed wing training division of Horizon International Flight Academy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company that is based in Al Ain.

Horizon currently has 210 trainees enrolled in its aviation training programs and has been the selected training provider for Etihad Airways’ cadet pilots for the past seven years.

“The establishment of the Etihad Flight College is a natural part of our strategy to produce the best pilots to support our rapidly expanding fleet,” president and chief executive James Hogan said.

“It also helps underpin the growth and development of the aviation sector in Abu Dhabi.”

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