DK Travel Group CEO John Constable issued the following statement in Bangkok today.
“We’re pleased to announce a stronger working relationship between all Diethelm Keller owned travel brands, including Diethelm Travel and STA Travel, under a new umbrella brand DK Travel Group. This development enables us to operate as a connected business – sharing resources, systems, services, and products – whilst maintaining the individuality of our brands and customers. Both companies continue to operate as they did previously; this move simply allows for greater collaboration and cooperation across our travel businesses.
“Lisa Fitzell has been appointed to the position of Group Managing Director for Diethelm Travel. Lisa was previously the Global Land Product Director for STA Travel based in London and prior to that, she was Head of worldwide and Australasia for TUI from 2004 to 2008. In this role Lisa was responsible for product, marketing and commercial teams across eight shops and more than 100 staff at Austravel. Hailing from Preston Lancashire, UK, she studied tourism management at Sheffield City College.
“This is an exciting time for the newly reshaped DK Travel Group. It makes sense to forge a closer relationship between our businesses to ensure continued growth in a fast paced and constantly adapting travel industry.
“This development allows us to work together to stay dynamic and expand our offering, while continuing to provide outstanding service to our customers across all our brands. Importantly it helps us to pursue innovation and look at our businesses with fresh eyes to drive success.”
About the companies
Diethelm Travel has been in operation since 1906 and is home to almost 500 employees across 12 countries in Asia, with its head office in Bangkok. STA Travel is much younger, started by two students in Australia before it was acquired by the Diethelm Keller Group in 1979. Today it is the world’s leading youth travel company and has more than 2000 people working in almost 200 stores and offices across the world. STA Travel is headquartered in London.
The companies within the DK Travel Group make up the travel operations of the Diethelm Keller Group. Travel has been a key business for the Diethelm Keller Group for more than half a century. Today the Diethelm Keller Group encompasses brand management, marketing, logistics and travel services. It developed from a trading company with Swiss roots dating back almost 150-years. It is a privately held organization.
