Boracay gears for influx of Russian tourists
"Zdrastvuite. Magu ya vam chem-topomoch? (Hello. Can I help you)."
Russian embassy officers and staff
demonstrate preparation of Russian
gourmet to Boracay tourism frontliners.
Tourism front-liners in Boracay will soon be adept in basic Russian greetings and in conducting simple conversation in a series of language and lifestyle courses in preparation for more tourists from Russia.
The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) has been holding the seminars since July this year for the expected surge of Russian visitors availing of a 21-day visa privilege to encourage more tourists to visit the Philippines.
"We want to equip hotel and resort staff and those involved in other service related functions so that we cater to them better," said BFI executive director Virgie Sarabia.
The BFI has been closely working with the Russian consulate in holding the series of seminars.
The first seminar was conducted in July which focused on lifestyle, gourmet and cultural beliefs and practices.
Among the things that front liners should remember in dealing with Russian tourists is to be punctual in meetings and appointments. But they also should be prepared for the meetings to drag on with a long period of socializing before tackling business concerns.
The seminar participants were also given a crash course and demonstration in Russian gourmet cooking.
Dmitry Larionov, Protocol Officer of the Russian embassy and Alexander Kravets, chef of Ambassador Vitaly Vorobiev, and Honorary Consul Armi Lopez Garcia led the seminar.
Kravets offered demonstrations in preparing Russian gourmets like golubtsy with fish, tomato and sour cream sauce; a cabbage roll dish; bliny with meat or with fish stuffing crepes; vegetable stew; sautéed
zucchini and eggplant in tomato paste.
This week a two-day seminar-workshop on basic Russian language will be held with at least 25 participants.
Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said Russia was previously not a focus of marketing programs of the Department of Tourism.
"It was not our usual market. But we were surprised when Russian tourists started coming in droves in recent years," Trompeta said in a telephone interview.
The tourists are usually composed of young professionals and businessmen and the new rich who have benefited from recent economic growth in Russia.
"The Russian market is growing very fast and we have to be prepared,"said Trompeta.
The tourists usually arrive starting this month just before the onset of winter and until summer.
Industry stakeholders are taking extra attention on Russian tourists because they usually come in groups, stay longer and spend more compared to other tourists.
In August, the DOT spearheaded a team to Moscow for Wellness and Leisure Fair as part of its marketing and promotion blitz, according to Trompeta.
In January alone, two plane loads of Russian tourists numbering around 500 came to Boracay, said Trompeta.
Aside from visiting tourist destinations, they also go shopping in malls and department stores.
"They spend a lot of time to shop and they even complained when we give them half a day to go shopping,"said Trompeta.
He said this is good news for the country's tourism industry and not just for Boracay.