History

STR Destination Handling is your successful incoming rep office that was founded in October 1980 by Hugo E. Stinnes. For several reasons the further development of the company can be considered as a successful one:

  • STR started with seven partners, and today, more than 70 destinations from all over the world are represented by us. Incoming Agencies and Destination Management Companies are by far the biggest group within the portfolio.
  • Not only the number of partners increased continuously, the number of employees grew over the years, too. Have a look at our team!
  • The foundation of STR CEE (STR Central Eastern Europe) based in Budapest in 2007 makes the company even stronger. STR CEE has got six employees who take care of the markets Hungary, Czech Republik, Slovakia, Romania and Poland.
  • In January 2016, the MICE rep STR proMICE was founded.
  • And, last but not least, one partner who took the very first steps together with STR in 1980 is still a member of the STR network and going strong together: RMG Tours (Singapore). Hopefully we will keep on walking and working together for many more years!

 

Our journey: 45 years of STR in milestones

The founding & first partnerships (1980s)

1980 – Hugo E. Stinnes founds STR. First collaborations with Arlymear Travel (Thailand), Pacto Ltd. (Indonesia) & RMG (Singapore).
1982 – STR Destination Handling is established as a specialized department for DMCs/incoming agencies.
1987 – Expansion to include hotel and airline representations (including Lauda Air).

Expansion & focus on DMCs (1990s)

1991 – Partnerships with international tourism boards and airlines.
1994 – Oliver Stinnes joins the management team.
1997 – STR focuses entirely on DMCs and exclusive hotel partnerships.

Internationalization & Growth (2000s)

1999 – First DMC office in North America: CTI (Canada).
2000 – First European DMC in the portfolio: Saistours (Italy).
2002 – Expansion into Africa with SAFIR (South Africa).
2003 – Carol Kahmann joins the management team.
2007 – Founding of STR CEE (STR Central Eastern Europe)

Digitalization & new markets (2010s)

2011 – STR increasingly focuses on digital media and social media.
2012 – Expansion into South America with Quimbaya Tours.
2014 – Following the death of the founder, Oliver Stinnes and Carol Kahmann take over management.
2016 – Outsourcing of the MICE business to the newly founded sister company STR proMICE