Scandinavian youth and student travel brand Kilroy has opened its first UK travel agency in Bristol and says it remains committed to UK expansion.
The first branch in Bristol celebrated its launch on Saturday with a day of travel talks, prize giveaways and entertainment to attract the student and youth market.
The store has opened in former STA Travel premises in Queens Road, Clifton, with a team of four staff. It took over the lease earlier this year for the premises, occupied by Be Lucky casino since the pandemic.
More than 170 people attended the opening afternoon, where five trips an hour were given away, including a round-the-world trip visiting three continents. Talks were given on Thailand, Peru, surfing in Costa Rica and working holidays in Australia.
The event included food and drinks, music from local DJ Bad N Booth, free travel-themed tattoos, and a live illustration by local artist Ruby Taylor, who has worked with international brands including Gordon’s Gin and Schwarzkopf.
The company – which was set up in Denmark in 1991 and is now the largest youth and student travel agency in the Nordic region – announced its plans to expand in the UK earlier this year.
At the opening of its first branch, it said it remained committed to achieving a nationwide presence through shops and online to fill the gap left by STA Travel, which ceased trading in August 2020.
Niclas Lundquist, UK commercial director of Kilroy, said: “Bristol was the top choice for Kilroy’s first UK store opening thanks to its young, vibrant student population and proximity to universities.
“The property at 43 Queens Road couldn’t be more fitting for a student and youth travel brand, having previously housed STA Travel. We’re incredibly excited to help fill the gap for tailored youth travel in the Bristol area and look forward to meeting the city’s dynamic young travellers.”
He added: “Our expansion into the UK market is a long-term investment for Kilroy. We are committed to serving the market and will do so from Bristol to begin with. We are continuously evaluating new opportunities beyond Bristol to achieve a nationwide reach through a combination of physical stores and online presence.”
Kilroy general manager Jacob Strømfeldt, who attended the event from the company’s head office in Denmark, called the launch “the first step in our plans to be the go-to youth and student youth brand in the UK.”
The Bristol store and staff will host future events designed to attract local travellers, including in-store travel talks delivered by its team of travel experts and travel-themed quizzes, giveaways and competitions are planned.
The company specialises in gap year travel, backpacking, working holidays and volunteering for students and young adults. Agents can offer tailormade trips, combining flights with land product, including group tours, accommodation, volunteer projects and activities such as surfing, diving, language courses, fitness camps and road trips.
It has also partnered with World Nomads Travel Insurance, which specialises in the adventure travel market, to offer insurance to the agency’s clients. World Nomads is developing a technology platform and agency infrastructure dedicated to the UK market.