STA Travel goes big for backpackers

STA Travel goes big for backpackers

Despite being pinned as the ‘cheaper’ bracket of tourism, backpackers are worth a lot more than we think.

And STA Travel has recognised this, launching new concept stores specially designed to welcome this particular market.

The ‘Backpacker by STA Travel’ stores will be popping up in Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns first, and will offer the local neighbourhood ‘lowdown’ on the best hostels, activities and transport along with free Wi-Fi in a beautifully relaxed and chilled environment, to stay in touch with friends and family back home.

Last year, over 606,000 Backpackers visited Australia and this trend is only set to grow, according to research by the Australian Government. And this is a trend STA Travel Australia’s md Linda Addy says is too often snubbed.

“With increasingly attractive currency conversion rates, the inbound Backpacker market in Australia is set for strong growth in 2015/2016,” she said.

“Often overlooked by the local travel industry as not offering strong financial returns, research in fact shows that on average each Backpacker coming into Australia spends over $5300 each, on accommodation, food, transport, tours and entertainment, accounting for 13% of the total Tourism market in Australia, worth in excess of $3 billion.”

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Run by travellers for travellers, the ‘Backpacker by STA Travel’ concept stores will be a one stop travel shop for everything on the ground in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Asia.

“STA Travel is excited to be starting a new grassroots brand that will offer the best in tours, accommodation and transport for Backpackers in the country,” Addy added.

“Backpacker stores are just one of facet of our commitment to the Backpacker market in Australia.”

More than 50 million visitor nights are spent in hostels in Australia, mostly along the Eastern seaboard, with STA Travel’s new Backpacker stores based in the thick of these Backpacker areas.

“Obviously Backpackers provide a huge boost to the economy within these areas where tourism is a main source of income,” Addy continued.

“Backpacker stores will look to support local tour providers, hostels, hotels and transport providers.”

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