STA Travel
STA Travel's Overview
STA Travel was a renowned global travel agency specializing in affordable flights, tours, and adventure travel for students and young adults. Founded in 1979 in Australia, it expanded to operate in over 60 countries with hundreds of retail stores. STA Travel provided unique travel experiences, including working holidays, volunteer trips, and gap year adventures, catering specifically to the youth market. However, due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry, STA Travel Holdings AG, its Swiss parent company, filed for insolvency in August 2020, leading to the cessation of its global operations.
Where is STA Travel's Headquarters?
HQ Function
The Zurich headquarters of STA Travel Holding AG was responsible for global strategy, financial oversight, and coordination of the international group's various subsidiaries and franchise operations. It managed the overall brand and international partnerships.
Notable Features:
As a corporate office, specific architectural highlights were not widely publicized; its focus was on functional support for a global travel network. Its UK office in London (Priory House, Wrights Lane) was a more public-facing operational hub.
Work Culture:
Historically, STA Travel was known for a vibrant, youth-focused, and adventurous work culture. Employees were often passionate travelers themselves, fostering an environment of shared enthusiasm for exploring the world. The culture encouraged providing expert advice and tailored travel solutions.
HQ Significance:
The Zurich HQ was significant as the nerve center of a globally recognized brand that shaped youth and student travel for decades, making international adventures more accessible to millions.
Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters aimed to support a global network that embodied values of adventure, affordability, expertise, and responsible travel for young people.
Location:
Prior to its closure in 2020, STA Travel had an extensive global presence, operating in over 60 countries through a network of more than 200 company-owned stores and franchise partner outlets. Key regions included Europe (especially the UK), North America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia and Africa. Functions supported globally included retail travel sales, flight ticketing, tour operations, accommodation booking, travel insurance, marketing, product sourcing, and customer support, all tailored to the student and youth demographic.
Street Address:
Genferstrasse 27 (STA Travel Holding AG)
City:
Zurich
State/Province:
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
STA Travel's Global Presence
London, United Kingdom
Address: Priory House, 6 Wrights Lane, London, W8 6TA, UK (Historical)
Key center for developing and selling travel packages, flights, and tours to students and young adults in the UK and across Europe. It was also a base for many global support functions.
Various cities, Australia (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne)
Address: Multiple retail and regional offices across Australia (Historical)
Catered to Australian and New Zealand students and young travelers, offering both outbound international travel and inbound services. It was a key market and operational base.
New York, USA
Address: Various locations in New York and other major US cities (Historical)
Provided travel services to American students and young adults looking for international travel experiences, and also facilitated travel for international students within the US.
Buying Intent Signals for STA Travel
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Executive Team of STA Travel
As of April 2025, STA Travel' leadership includes:
Investors of STA Travel
STA Travel has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months
The primary 'executive news' in the 12 months leading up to and including August 2020 revolved around the company's financial difficulties culminating in the insolvency of STA Travel Holding AG. This led to the cessation of all roles, rather than typical hires or exits in an ongoing concern. Administrators were appointed to manage the insolvency process.
Departures
New Appointments:
Technology (Tech Stack) used by STA Travel
Discover the tools STA Travel uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.
STA Travel Email Formats and Examples
STA Travel, like many corporations, utilized standardized email formats. These are no longer active due to the company ceasing operations. Common formats historically included combinations of first name, last name, and initials.
[first_initial][last]@statravel.com (e.g., jsmith@statravel.com) or [first].[last]@statravel.co.uk (for UK operations)
Format
jsmith@statravel.com
Example
0 (Company is defunct, emails are inactive)%
Success rate
News and media
BBC News • August 20, 2020
STA Travel: Firm popular with students and young people stops trading
STA Travel UK has ceased trading, its parent company STA Travel Holding AG has said. The travel firm, which specialised in package holidays for students and young people, has more than 50 shops in the UK. Its Swiss parent company said it was filing for insolvency....more
The Guardian • August 21, 2020
STA Travel UK collapses into administration with 500 jobs lost
STA Travel UK has collapsed into administration, with the loss of about 500 jobs, after its Swiss parent company filed for insolvency. The travel agent, which specialised in holidays for young people and students, has 52 shops in the UK. The company blamed the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought the travel industry to a standstill....more
Travel Weekly • August 20, 2020
STA Travel Ltd ceases trading
Youth travel specialist STA Travel Ltd has ceased trading with immediate effect. The failure of the UK business follows the insolvency of its Swiss parent company, STA Travel Holding AG, earlier this week....more
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