t/a The German speaking Travel Alliance (GSTA) was formed in 1998 by companies specialising in providing professional travel services worldwide. Initially eight, presently six directors, who are all equal shareholders. A consortium was formed incorporating the eight founder members together with other travel agencies that met the association’s criteria. There are currently nineteen members in loc
ations situated throughout Southern Africa. The GSTA’s vision is to remain a recognised and respected brand in Southern Africa focusing not only on travel to German speaking destinations but also expanding the operation to develop in other areas in which the members are involved. We subscribe to a philosophy of transparency, accountability, integrity, excellence and innovation in all our business dealings. GSTA has representatives in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Windhoek and Swakopmund, Botswana. Most are IATA approved locations. Through committees formed from within the organisation, GSTA has negotiated arrangements with leading airlines, car hire companies, hotels, tour operators etc. to offer highly competitive rates to both the corporate and leisure traveller. All GSTA members are owner managed, independent businesses. Due to the association’s stringent requirements, it is essential that all members maintain a high level of professionalism and knowledge of the local travel industry. Since 2013 the GSTA has been an associate member of the XL Travel Group Our affiliation with XL, an alliance of 155 travel offices, generating in excess of 2.5 billion Rand, gives us a national & global footprint. The core of GSTA’s offerings includes:
•- Consultation and presentation of related products in the travel field. These include holiday packages,
• airfare specials, car hire, hotel reservations, foreign exchange, travel insurance, cruises, coach tours,
• business and corporate travel services.
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•- Because it is essential that travel professionals fully understand the requirements of their clients,
• GSTA is constantly striving to keep its members updated with the latest trends in the South African
• travel industry, Members regularly attend internal meetings as well as courses and seminars provided
• by our principals, to keep them informed of the latest developments in the travel field.
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•- In the corporate market GSTA provides solutions designed to manage costs, improve efficiencies and
• deliver consistent quality. This is achieved by providing converged services and other support and
• sector-specific products.
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GSTA’s business model is evolving. Although there is still considerable demand for the traditional travel agent GSTA is investing in and expanding its infrastructure to enable more use of data services. As the internet becomes accessible to more people, demand for online services grows and opportunities present themselves. We are confident that despite regulatory burdens and economic woes, our experience and expertise will help us to meet the challenge and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.
