Popular backpacking  journey agency STA Travel has gone bust, the most recent organization to collapse amid the worldwide pandemic.

STA, which utilized 500 workers across 50 branches in the United kingdom, ceased trading on Friday, ABTA, the trade affiliation of journey and tour operators confirmed. 

A statement posted on its Twitter account examine: “To our valued clients, owing to the the latest announcement that STA Vacation United kingdom has ceased investing, however our crew are unable to support you at this time.

“Please be confident that if you had a prior booking with us, or maintain a live booking, you will obtain even further interaction in the coming days. We are sorry for the inconvenience and the minimal information and facts accessible to you at this time.”

Employees have spoken out to mourn the loss of STA. Eleanor Hamshere explained: “It is definitely heartbreaking, I have worked for them for 2 years but they’ve been component of my lifestyle for 10 years. I am devastated since performing for STA is not just a position, it is a lifestyle with a entire loved ones of pals that appear with it.”

Tarique Chowdhury, who worked in the Oxford and Cambridge shops amongst 1991 and 1993, claimed: “We were ready to converse about a lot more than just a flight and a hotel, it was the working experience. Which is what men and women want these days.”

ABTA explained that the greater part of booked holidays were packages that have been guarded by the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme, indicating clients must be able to get a refund. 

Scroll down for more updates