STA Travel Group today announces that its new brand, Bridge the World will begin trading on 18th September, 2010. 

Bridge the World is the STA Travel Group’s first venture outside of the student and youth market and marks a strong growth strategy for the travel specialist, who want to give STA Travel customers somewhere to migrate to. 

The multi-channel business will begin trading online (www.bridgetheworld.com) and via a dedicated call centre on the 18th September, with the first high street branch opening in Bournemouth at the end of September.  Plans are in place to quickly increase distribution channels with the opening of a further five branches nationally by the end of 2011.

Travel to Australasia will be a business focus at launch, expanding to Asia by November 2010.  The vision is that Bridge the World will become the brand of choice for older travellers, just as STA Travel is for students and young people. 

Bridge the World has a dedicated team of seasoned travellers with unrivalled knowledge of the destinations offered.  All have recently undertaken intensive training in Australia and Asia to ensure they are best placed to help customers create the very best itineraries and the company will offer highly competitive airfares on economy, business and first class tickets. 

The Bridge the World brochures have been designed to inspire travellers and include suggested key experiences, hidden gems and tips alongside stunning photography to really bring the destinations to life.

With research showing that travellers are also looking for the advice and recommendations of fellow travellers, Bridge the World will also facilitate peer-to-peer advice, insights and recommendations through its website. 

STA Travel Group has appointed James Herbert as Commercial Director for Bridge the World.  He will report into John Constable, Group Managing Director of STA Travel.

James Herbert says: “Bridge the World has a twenty year heritage specialising in tailor made, long-haul travel and we’ve updated the brand to ensure it’s entirely relevant for today’s traveller. It gives loyal STA Travel customers a place to migrate to, safe in the knowledge that at every stage their needs will be met and understood.  We’re committed to creating the best trip at the right price and are very much looking forward to helping our customer’s see more of the world.”