Press Release

STUDENTS CAN SEE THE WORLD FOR FREE, COURTESY OF STA TRAVEL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Webb
Direct Line: 972-538-8843
Email: awebb@statravel.com

(DALLAS- May 1, 2007) STA Travel, the world’s largest student and youth travel company has just launched two new online community initiatives that bring global travel to student’s fingertips. 

The latest update of www.statravel193.com introduces the first social community designed exclusively for student travelers.  The community is an interactive, multi-media environment that provides information on all 193 countries in the world.  Students can communicate with one another through their profiles and upload their travel tips, videos and pictures to the website, creating a growing repository of destination and travel information.

As an incentive to join STA Travel 193, students who create profiles are automatically entered to win a Safari trip for two in South Africa. Community members are offered exclusive travel deals and have access to STA Travel destination experts who can be contacted from inside the community to answer any questions or help with travel plans.

In a second community initiative, students who want to embark on a virtual, 3-D travel experience can visit STA Travel’s virtual travel center in the online world of Second Life.  The STA Travel presence within Second Life was built with a “soft landing” so students can jump right into a customized orientation island and start exploring destinations quickly and easily.  There are scheduled weekly events and tours produced by STA Travel and when students need a break they can head to their own customized dorm room and relax with friends.

“College students are passionate about global travel.  These online communities allow us to offer travel experiences as a part of their everyday lives,” said Kristen Celko, vice president of marketing and e-commerce for STA Travel North America.

About STA Travel and ISIC

STA Travel is a full-service travel agency with over 70 retail locations in the United States and can be reached by calling (800) 505-1940. Students can also access the latest student airfares, packages and trips and other valuable information at http://www.statravel.com. The STA Travel Blue Ticket™ offers students and travelers under the age of 26 key benefits of low price, flexibility, and on-the-road service. STA Travel also has extensive resources and expertise to service group clients, with its International Programs and Group Services division. With over 400 branches in over 90 countries and serving over two and a half million students each year, STA Travel is the world expert in travel for students and young adults. STA Travel is the exclusive distributor of ISIC identification cards throughout the U.S.

North American Corporate Offices: 750 State Highway 121, Suite 250, Lewisville, Texas 75067