STA Travel Holding AG, the Switzerland-based parent company of one of the world’s largest student and youth travel agencies, STA Travel, has filed for insolvency leaving 200 offices and around 2 000 staff around the world in the lurch.
The South African branches were last Friday answering phone calls to deal with reservation-related enquiries but no one was able to give Travel News any comment or press statemen. According to an employee who wished to remain anonymous, the STA branches in South Africa paused trading over the weekend – the source said they expected to hear more information on the effect on the South African business from their head office today. The STA website is also not functioning, showing a “currently down for maintenance” notification.
European press are reporting that a statement from STA Travel Holding AG said: “The global magnitude of the pandemic crisis has brought the travel industry to a standstill, including STA Travel…” The company said it had attempted to implement decisive measures to cushion the business from the impact of COVID-19. “However, sales have not picked up as anticipated, due to consumer uncertainties, further restrictions and renewed lock-down measures, which are expected to largely continue into 2021,” said the company.
