The Big OE just got bigger!

The Big OE just got bigger!

STA Travel New Zealand and IEP join forces

More and more Kiwis take advantage of the opportunity to do a working holiday overseas. The traditional OE sees up to 20,000 young New Zealanders head off to spend extended time working and travelling around the world.

Two of the country’s biggest stake holders in the youth OE market – IEP and STA Travel – will be joining forces from 1 July 2005.

“There is a lot of synergy between our two organisations and working closer to achieve the same goals seems natural”, says Blair Catton, General Manager for STA Travel New Zealand.

STA Travel has for 25 years been the preferred travel agency of young travellers around the world, while IEP (International Exchange Programs) has been offering overseas working holiday programs to New Zealanders since 1997. Today, IEP offers 10 work and volunteer programs to Costa Rica, the US, Canada, Ireland, UK and France.

“People used to view the UK as their only option for overseas work. Today, youth are far more aware of their options and willing to try something out of the ordinary. New Zealand has working holiday agreements with 24 countries and it has never been easier for Kiwis to work and travel their way around the world”, says Thomas Christensen, Executive Director for IEP.

STA Travel will continue to specialise in offering the travel solutions for the partnership, while IEP will offer comprehensive assistance to working holiday makers.

IEP program information will be available in all STA Travel branches and travellers will have the security of dealing with the two largest OE brands in New Zealand, with the expertise and support of a worldwide network.

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