Partnership with Hazelton Airlines

* Media organisations are invited to interview and/ or photograph Maurice Gahan from Hazelton Airlines and the Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Perry Hobson, at a meeting to confirm this new partnership at Lismore Airport on Wednesday, April 10, at 12.00 noon.

New partnership to benefit regional tourism

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Southern Cross University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management is to enter into a joint agreement with Hazelton Airlines that will see the airline providing assistance to the tourism professional development programs the School runs for industry.

The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management runs three major professional development programs for tourism operators, managers and planners each year-one in Ballina, Sydney and Lismore.

Both Hazelton Airlines and the professional development programs offered by the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management have been operating for 10 years on the North Coast.

Hazelton Airlines network manager, Mr. Maurice Gahan, said the airline was delighted to step in as a regional partner to a successful program offering further skills and training to those working in the tourism industry.

"We are a regional airline and many of the delegates at these programs work in regional tourism-they are working towards a secure future for tourism and our regions, and we want to be part of supporting that," Mr Gahan said.

Head of SCU's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Perry Hobson, said the agreement was an example of positive regional cooperation.

"The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management had made its mark nationally in programs for tourism operators, managers and planners," he said. "These programs allow us to work closely with industry, offering best practice ideas, research information and opportunities, and giving back to an industry which supports us."

The tourism professional development programs are offered by the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in June, August and November. The first such program was offered in June 1992.

Hazelton Airlines has been a regional transport operator for the past 27 years, commencing services to the North Coast in 1992. Hazelton Airlines will support the tourism professional development programs by providing airline travel for industry speakers.



For further information please contact:

Kate Benecke (02) 6626 9114 or 6686 5572

Or Mr Robin Osborne, Media Liaison,

Marketing & External Relations,

Phone: (02) 6620 3039 Mobile: 0418 431 484

Email: rosborne@scu.edu.au