About the Company:

STA Travel is a global travel specialist with 30 years experience helping students, teachers and young professionals travel the world. We offer a unique range of products with exclusive discounts on airfare, accommodations, tours, rail passes and more. Globally we are present in 90 countries with 400 retail locations, sending over 6 million travelers away each year.

Philosophy:

STA Travel believes that young people will be significantly impacted by their travel experience. Travel is a rite of passage for young people in the never-ending quest for understanding. STA Travel believes there is no better way to break down cultural barriers, foster respect for diversity, remove fear and learn about life than through travel.

How it works:

STA Travel works with airlines and accommodations providers around the world to secure specially discounted fares for students, young professionals and teachers. These preferred partners work with STA Travel to fill available seats and rooms by offering them at a discount to STA Travel. STA Travel is then able to pass those savings on to the customer.

History:

STA Travel was created by two college students in Australia that formed AUS Student Travel to help students across Australia with their travel needs. In 1979, Diethelm Keller Holding Ltd., a family-owned Swiss company assumed 100 percent ownership of STA Travel. The first STA Travel branch opened in North America in 1982 and additional branches were added with the purchase of Council Travel in 2002. Now the company operates 18 regional branches across the U.S.

Regional Branches:

Located in college towns and international hubs across the U.S., STA Travel operates 18 retail locations to assist students, youth and teachers with their travel needs. The retail locations are staffed by knowledgeable representatives that can offer advice and help travelers plan the best trip for their needs and budget.

Discount Cards:

STA Travel is the sole licensing authority in the US of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), an internationally recognized identification card regulated by the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC.com) that entitles students to more than 25,000 discounts.  The card also includes travel insurance and a 24-hour emergency help line. Versions of the discount card are also available for youth (under 26 years of age) and teachers.

Charity Partnerships:

STA Travel works with Keep a Child Alive on the charity’s KCA College program.  KCA was started by Leigh Blake, who was soon joined by singer and actor Alicia Keys, to raise money and awareness of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. STA Travel works with KCA College to send three students to Africa to do charity work and experience first-hand the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

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