Geoffrey Salatan is the Managing Director and co-owner of Dubai-based MRG Pinas Travel.

Former ticketing clerk now a travel agency maven in Dubai

"I am proud to raise the Philippine flag on a foreign ground," Geoffrey Salatan, Managing Director and co-owner of Dubai-based MRG Pinas Travel, told Expatmedia.net in an exclusive interview. Leaving behind a job as a travel consultant in the Philippines, Salatan ventured to the UAE in March 2006. He brought his hopes and dreams to make a name for himself. He boldly accepted the challenge of going to a foreign country and reset his career. He started as a ticketing clerk when, back in the Philippines, he was working in one of the best travel agencies – the Thomas Cook Travel. Salatan was determined to craft his own success in the UAE and raise the flag high as a Filipino expat who thrived and succeeded. For almost two decades, he worked at Airlink International. With hard work and perseverance, he moved up the ladder, holding various key positions, including support desk manager, retail sales manager, and sales and client relations manager. Salatan wagered his career and took a leap to entrepreneurship through MRG Pinas Travel. He is now the proud managing director of MRG Pinas Travel, a Filipino-owned brand with a strong vision to provide travel services to Filipinos in the UAE. He raised the flag high not only for himself but also for his fellow Filipinos. "I want to make a difference to the lives of Filipinos here in UAE," he said, "It is my passion in the travel industry and earnest desire to help more passengers."

Living the dream

The Tarlac native and tourism degree holder credits his experience in the Philippines as a travel consultant for shaping his drive and character. He was living his dream, but was not afraid to explore outside his comfort zone. He believes in the mantra "Good deeds will bear no evil fruit". This is why the ticketing clerk-turned-director took a leap of faith in the UAE. He thought, if practicing his profession would do more good than harm, then it’s a challenge he will gladly accept. Being an expat for almost two decades, Salatan is ready to rewrite his success in the UAE. To begin a new story is always hard, but he is banking on his experience to succeed in his newest venture. Salatan’s MRG Pinas Travel launched in January, with its flagship office located in Dubai’s Reef Mall. "Part of the challenges I faced in putting up the agency is the post-pandemic fear whether travel will kick-off, if passengers are ready to travel," Salatan said. He also had to navigate around the increasing competition between conventional and emerging online travel agencies. But, he is confident that MRG Pinas Travel will flourish. Salatan envisions MRG Pinas Travel to be "vastly patronized by fellow overseas workers and brand as one of the biggest names in the industry." MRG Pinas Travel is part of the Pinas Group, a renowned brand among Filipinos. This is Salatan's legacy, and as long as there are Filipinos like him who take pride in everything they do, success will always follow. KD/Expat Media
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