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London-based STA Travel, which is the world's largest travel agency for students and young people, is tapping in on the city's backpacker travelers market through Shanghai China Youth Travel Service Co. That enables the local company to act as an exclusive agent for the London agency in East China. "It offers students cheaper airline tickets and hotel rooms, which will benefit a growing number of backpackers," said Wang Zhiwei, vice president of SCYTS. "We are also pleased to find such a business partner since it creates a new travel product for us." As Hong Kong has witnessed a large number of foreign backpackers, STA Travel chose a GuangZhou travel agency to become its first partner on the mainland last year. The move makes sense, STA officials say, because of Guangzhou's proximity to Hong Kong. Shanghai is STA's second step into the mainland. "Because Shanghai is an important city in China and also a market of great potential," Dick Potter, chief executive officer of STA Travel, told agency. According to Wang, STA Travel issues a special inter-national student ID card. "The ID card-holder can purchase a student ticket, called 'blue ticket,' from 75 airline companies under STA's network with much cheaper prices, and it's also the same case when booking designated youth hotel rooms," said Wang. "The ID card can also be used to buy discounted tickets for museums and other sightseeing sites." Wang said any local with a valid student card can apply for the ID card at SCYTS for 100 yuan (US$12). SCYTS will designate several three-star hotels as appointed youth hotels in the city.