Meliesa Casas (centre) receives her token ticket from Geof Travel CEO Geoffrey Salatan (left) and PAL Regional Head Josh Vasquez. SUPPLIED

For Filipina expat Meliesa Casas, a decade of hard work in the UAE was recently rewarded with a free ticket home—one she decided to give away out of love for family. Casas, who has lived in Ras Al Khaimah for 10 years and works as an office administrator, was named the lucky winner of the third triannual raffle draw by Dubai-based Geof Travel. The draw was held on September 1 at the agency’s Deira office. Casas won a Philippine Airlines roundtrip ticket to Manila, which she has chosen to gift to her nephew. “I am happy to give this to my nephew, because for me, a prize is more valuable when it brings joy to your family,” she said in Filipino. Her story has inspired fellow expats, highlighting how the spirit of generosity continues to shine among overseas Filipinos. The good news doesn’t stop there—Geof Travel announced that its fourth raffle draw is scheduled on December 31, giving UAE residents another chance to win a Philippine Airlines roundtrip ticket to Manila before the year ends. All purchases made between September and December 31 automatically qualify for the raffle. Eligible services include airline tickets, visa assistance, hotel bookings, and holiday packages. Aside from the grand prize, participants can also win minor prizes such as tourist visas, Geof Travel souvenir items, desert safari packages, and dhow cruise experiences. Geoffrey Salatan, CEO of Geof Travel, said the raffle is part of the company’s commitment to rewarding its loyal clients while building closer connections with the Filipino community in the UAE. “Our expansion reflects Geof Travel’s strong commitment to our clients—we want to be closer and more accessible to them. At the same time, this growth creates opportunities for young talents to explore the travel industry. We are hiring and interested applicants may submit their CVs through geoftravel.com,” Salatan told Expat Media. Earlier this year, Geof Travel expanded its operations by opening a new office at Al Fahidi Heights Office Tower, 4th Floor, Office 45, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, Bur Dubai. The move makes the IATA-accredited and DTTAG-member agency more accessible to walk-in customers, who also enjoy perks such as complimentary coffee with every ticket purchase and free souvenirs for office visitors. With its dedicated team available seven days a week, Geof Travel continues to be a trusted partner for both retail and corporate clients—whether for business or leisure. ICA/Expat Media

How to join Geof Travel’s December 31 raffle

Step 1: Book any Geof Travel service between September and December 31 Step 2: Eligible services include: • Airline tickets • Visa assistance • Hotel bookings • Holiday packages Step 3: Keep your receipt—your entry is automatically included in the raffle. Prizes include: • Grand prize: Philippine Airlines roundtrip ticket to Manila • Minor prizes: Tourist visas, Geof Travel souvenir items, desert safari packages, dhow cruise experiences.
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