STA TRAVEL OPENS STORE IN ST ALBANS

Store to be dual-branded with sister company Bridge the World

STA Travel opened its first store in St Albans last week (November 20), as it continues its ambitious retail expansion strategy.

The store, located in the city centre at 1 Market Place, is dual-branded with its sister company, Bridge the World, which offers affordable long-haul luxury holidays in destinations across the globe. 

The move into St Albans is an important milestone for the company as it broadens its reach in the UK beyond its traditional student roots. 

Jackie Knell, STA Travel sales director, commented: “We are the world's largest student and youth travel company, and offer exclusive fares for students and travellers under 26, however we have great value offers for all. 

“For more than 30 years we have offered market-leading prices, thanks to our global buying power, our well-established relationships with airlines and tour operators, and our incredibly knowledgable staff. We are the very best people to help you start your adventure from a round-the-world adventure to a trek to Macchu Picchu to a volunteering project in Brazil.

“We've chosen St Albans as it bridges a gap in our network in Hertfordshire plus it has a diverse population: a high number of young professionals, and an affluent and well-travelled demographic, this is why we've chosen it to be one of our dual-branded stores in the UK.”

The new store is overseen by manager Tara Brown and a team of four travel experts.

To celebrate the opening of the new store, STA Travel has a £1000 travel gift voucher to win, to be in with a chance of winning simply visit to the new St Albans store and fill in an entry form before January 4 2015.

Launch offers for STA Travel St Albans include £100 off any overland adventure tour, New York City breaks from £467 for three nights including flights, and savings of up to 54% on camper van hire in Australia thanks to STA Travel's exclusive Camperflex product. 

Knell added: “STA Travel caters for everyone with a passion for travel: from student, to young professionals, to the young at heart traveller. Our new St Albans store is the ideal place to start your adventure.”

Last year STA Travel opened five new stores, and the new St Albans store takes the total to 51 in the UK. A further two or three new retail stores are planned for 2015. 

“We're delighted to be continuing to expand our physical retail presence on the high streets of the UK. It's an important part of our distribution strategy and one that is growing, rather than receding, despite the fact we are catering for the most tech-savvy travelling generation ever.

“When it comes to booking a long-haul trip, gap year or round-the-world adventure there really is no substitute for talking to professionals who have experience and knowledge of these destinations themselves,” said Knell.

Make an appointment with an STA Travel expert by calling the St Albans store on 01727 228457, email them at stalbans@statravel.co.uk, or visit them at 1 Market Place, St Albans AL3 5DR.

ENDS

For more media information or photographs please contact Louise Prior: louise@priorpr.com 

Notes to editors: 

- STA Travel is the world's largest youth travel company. It employs more than 2,500 people in 17 countries, and works with franchisees and licensing partners in 73 further countries.

- STA Travel's global turnover is US $1.2 billion every year and carries more than 2.5 million passengers annually.

• STA Travel's retail divisions have more than 200 branches. There is a core retail network in 13 countries including Australia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.
• STA Travel is privately owned by Diethelm Keller Group in Switzerland.