Ex-STA staff wanted for new youth travel brand

Arron Mitchell, director of Platinum World Travel, has created Syte (Student & Youth Travel Escapes) to cater for the 18-30s market using his experience of working in the sector.

Mitchell, who worked for STA between 2014-2016 – during which he ran the agency’s Cheltenham store and managed its national contact centre in the US – said Syte would look to offer “an evolved product range” and “go beyond” STA’s traditional focus on backpacking trips and gap year travel.

Syte will sell youth-focused brands such as U by Uniworld, Virgin Voyages and Jet2holidays’ Vibe.

“Backpacking and gap years are still a part of the market, but we know that it’s not for everyone," said Mitchell.

“We have a huge range from working holiday visas, tours, tailor-made itineraries, river cruising and city breaks for different styles of holidays and to suit different personalities.”

Mitchell will soon begin interviews with ex-STA employees and is looking to recruit a maximum of 20 homeworkers this year.