STA Travel 'Starts The Adventure' on campuses across SA

In a bid to encourage students to #StartTheAdventure and explore the beauty in their own backyard, STA Travel, a youth and student travel company known for its innovative marketing campaigns and travel and adventure options for travellers, teamed up with SA Tourism to bring the 'Start The Adventure wheel' to university campuses across the country. The adventure kicked off in October where STA Travel set off to WITS University campus in Johannesburg, and next travelled to University of Cape Town (UCT) campus in Cape Town.

On arrival at each activation, students were given their very own My Mzansi International Student Card (ISIC) which will unlock a world of discounts and freebies for them both nationally and globally. From there, the students got the chance to spin to win a range of prizes and some big Mzansi-inspired experiences. Some lucky students headed off on a Shark Cage Diving adventure just outside of Cape Town, some got to bungee off of the Orlando towers, and others got to explore Joburg's most exciting neighbourhoods on the Hop On Hop Off bus. The best part about students winning these epic Mzansi adventures - they left the activation spot then and there to complete the activity, with a camera crew in tow to make sure their experience was captured on film!

During the activations, students and their friends were encouraged to get involved in pinpointing their favourite places to visit in SA on the interactive My Mzansi map.

"Where international destinations and adventures still prove to be an attractive option for South Africans looking to travel, we've seen a surge in the number of local destinations being booked over recent months - particularly by students in SA. With nine provinces, each boasting beautiful weather and their own unique activities and holiday options, South Africans are spoilt for choice. Be it the bright lights of Jo'burg, enjoying the outdoors and Big 5 viewing in the Kruger Park, relaxing on the beautiful beaches in Durban, or the party scene of Cape Town, locals are cherry picking the local destinations and travel styles that suit them best," says Anna Smith, STA Travel South Africa's Product & Marketing Manager.

According to South African Tourism (SAT), the total number of domestic trips increased by 11% in 2014 to reach 28 million trips compared to the 25,2 million trips taken in 2013. Limpopo's domestic trips increased from 4.8 million in 2013 to 7.4 million in 2014, making it the top most visited province in South Africa.

These STA Travel and SA Tourism activations planned to inspire and educate South Africa's youth to really see the adventure in their own backyard, and to want to explore their fascinating country. The "Start The Adventure" wheel will be back on campuses across South Africa next year where more students will stand a chance to explore some of SA's most desired destinations with even more epic prizes. What better way to bring out a "local is lekker" vibe than with students who have a passion and enthusiasm for local living and adventures, and encouraging them to be "tourists" in their own backyard.