Local travel planning firm giving back to community

GIVING back to the people is what Transglobal Travel & Tours loves doing, as it not only focuses on making money but also has a heart to serve others, says managing director Matthew Boen.
“I do what I love, and that is serving others,” he said.
“I not only focus on becoming the best in the travel sector but I aim to provide convenient services so that my clients go home happy.”
The travel agent established in 2016, has seven agents in Port Moresby, including a travel manager and managing director.
The company has five staff at its Lae branch and has plans to expand to other centres in 2020.
“I started my company in 2016 using my Public Officer Superannuation Fund (POSF – now Nambawan Super Ltd) when I resigned after 14 years of teaching,” he said.
“I also enrolled at the Institute of Public Administration for a diploma course in accounting, however, left studies due to client pressure.
“By then, I already mastered the skills on how to operate and manage a business.
“I moved on with my business with the skills I learnt.
“My business has grown from strength to strength in the last four years.”
Boen said his company had served customers from all walks of life including more than 40 corporate clients and had facilitated leave fares for about three quarters of NCD teachers including five vocational, 12 secondary and 46 primary school teachers and about 140 teachers from Hiri in Central.
The teachers were happy with the agency as it facilitated their tickets on time which enabled them to travel home to spend Christmas with their family and loved ones.
A teacher, Paul Yapi, from Kagua in Southern Highlands said: “I am very happy with the travel agency as it facilitated our leave fares on time.
Previously, we were delayed our tickets because the travel agents were very slow in processing out tickets.”
Apart from its normal business, the travel agent also sponsors its corporate clients with sporting uniforms and top awards, and loud hailers and cash donations for schools.
Boen, 45, is from Kuyamda village in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
He is the eldest in a family of 12.
Boen’s spouse is a nursing officer at the Mt Hagen General Hospital.
They have five children.
Boen commended the Government for showing support towards SMEs in the country.
“This is the way forward for PNG because when SMEs are supported in the country, that is when you will see money staying in the country,” he said.