STA Travel Returns to Canterbury Uni Campus

MEDIA RELEASE JUNE 2018

Ready to Ride Again with a New Generation of Students

Seven Years After the Earthquake STA Travel Returns to Canterbury Uni Campus

The University of Canterbury is pleased to welcome global student travel agency, STA Travel, back on campus, seven years after losing the original store in an earthquake-damaged building.

Since the earthquake STA Travel has gradually opened stores throughout Christchurch in certain areas as they rebuild and come to life again, starting with Riccarton and Northlands and now expanding onto Canterbury Uni Campus. The new store is the third STA Travel store to open in Christchurch since the earthquake and will bring the South Island total to five.

Emma Tait, STA Travel Canterbury Uni campus store manager, says “There was a lot of uncertainty in Christchurch at the time of the earthquake, whether people were going to leave, whether there would be more earthquakes and whether we would have stores to trade from at all. Of course, a lot of residents were dealing with some hefty insurance claims, out of pocket and dealing with the emotional side, so we weren’t sure if there would be a place for a travel company in that space at that time. It’s great to see Christchurch re-building and businesses investing in the growth of the city. There’s been huge demand for travel in Christchurch following the earthquake and the Riccarton store is the most successful of all our New Zealand stores so we are really excited to open another store in Christchurch.”

STA Travel Country Manager Sarah Bedford, says, “Opening this store is a huge milestone for us. I vividly remember the day the earthquake happened. It was a very emotional period following the earthquake, many of us were close with the Christchurch team, especially as we see ourselves as a big family. It’s one of the original stores so we are thrilled that we can still acknowledge mother nature but return to campus!”

Design and innovations plans for the store follow the STA Travel global guidelines of bold design, with giant map decals, crates for brochures and large format images of destinations and people – which create a welcoming environment for students, young people and the young at heart with all of its store designs.

Sarah adds, “STA Travel stores are really different from your typical travel agency, we updated the design in 2015 to have a large table where travellers can sit close to their travel expert, like being around the dining table discussing plans with a mate.”

A full-service travel agency, STA Travel can assist with the booking of flights, accommodation, day trips, tours and insurance and also specialises in cost-effective round the world flight combos, working holidays, volunteering and independent tailor-made travel.

Travel can be costly, especially if flying long-haul or with family, but STA Travel offers flexible payment options via FLEXIpay. No interest, no credit cards and no catches, just a $99 deposit will secure today’s flight price, with the rest due 10 weeks before departure. FLEXIpay is valid on a wide range of airlines, accommodation and touring across the globe.

ENDS

© Scoop Media