STA Travel Lends a Hand with New Voluntourism Partnership

The world’s largest student, youth and budget travel organisation STA Travel has just announced a new partnership with global voluntourism organisation, Planeterra.

STA Travel is committing US $1 million over five years to a responsible tourism program led by Planeterra, which will develop mutually beneficial volunteer travel and community projects.

Peter Liney, CEO of STA Travel, said that the company is embarking on a ‘responsible travel journey’. “Our new partnership with Planeterra is going to change the face of STA Travel. Working with Planeterra, we are supporting worldwide community development projects through our new volunteer programs and through direct funding of important initiatives,” Liney said.

In addition to the US $1 million investment in its responsible travel program, STA Travel will be raising US $120,000 for a new Community Tourism Training Centre on Koh Phra Thong Island in tsunami-affected Thailand. The centre will be accessible to local communities, providing a way to increase income and sustainable tourism in the area.

Travellers keen to help can participate in one of two new projects at STA Travel; the 15-day Sea Turtle Conservation project on Koh Phra Thong from $2079* per person (includes accommodation, meals and transfers from Phuket) or the 13-day Voluntour with Children in Phuket from $1499* (includes accommodation, most meals, transport and hill tribe trek).  STA Travel will also be matching all individual donations to projects up to US $30,000 per year, enabling Planeterra to provide 100% of donations directly to projects.

To celebrate the launch, STA Travel has released its brand new 100-page 'Travel with Purpose’ brochure, featuring the exclusive voluntouring product range. There are close to 80 projects to choose from, spanning Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

For the full list of current voluntours and independent volunteer programs developed by STA Travel and Planeterra, click here. 

* Terms and conditions apply, prices are per person, subject to change and availability.