Student and youth travel booking site StudentUniverse is expanding its global presence by setting up in Australia.
Launched in the US in 2000, the firm moved into the UK 13 years later before being acquired by Flight Centre Travel Group in 2015.
StudentUniverse is based in Boston with offices now in London, Brisbane and the Philippines.
StudentUniverse Australia will launch with more than 40 airlines, including partnerships with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines and Air China.
StudentUniverse UK has partnered with many Australian tourism authorities over the years on campaigns such as ‘Australia Inc’ with Tourism Australia, ‘Escapism’ with Tourism NT and ‘KISS FM does The Gold Coast’ with Destination Gold Coast.
All helped to raise awareness of the working holiday visa and tourism opportunities for British students and young people in Australia.
StudentUniverse Australia now has plans to partner with British tourism authorities to boost inbound tourism to the UK.
Managing director Mike Cleary said: “Australia has the third-largest English-speaking market for international students, behind the US and the UK, so the launch to the Australian market was a logical step in developing and expanding StudentUniverse’s services to a global market.
“Our technology and online booking experience is designed to make travel easier and more convenient than ever for students and youths and will continue to be the foundation of our customer service.”