Pinoys urged to learn Russian culture

CEBU, Philippines - As the Philippines slowly gains the interest as one of the preferred vacation destinations of Russians, Filipinos are encouraged to learn the Russian culture and language.

Russian Federation Honorary Consul Armi L. Garcia announced that it is very crucial for the Philippines to keep abreast with Russian culture and speak their language to effectively entice the high-spending and long-staying Russian travellers.

"We are at a critical time where we need to improve our competence level in entertaining Russian tourists, whose number will likely balloon as word about our hospitality and our beaches and weather spread in Russia. Our tour guides and hotel and resort staff must learn to speak and understand the Russian language, as well as know the culture of the country and its people," said Garcia in an interview.

Already, the Russian Consulate in Cebu, in coordination with the Department of Tourism piloted the first Russian Language and Culture Course in Cebu for the tourism industry workers at the University of Southern Philippines, which already produced 15 graduates.

According to Garcia, the students went through a basic course of about 60 hours, which aims to help them better understand and speak basic Russian language.

The short course was a success and Garcia said her office hopes to open the second batch soon.

Bigger influx of Russian tourists will be visiting Cebu and the rest of the country this year, thus "we need to prepare for their arrival."

Based on the records of DOT arrivals from the Russian market grew 25.2 percent in 2013, logging 35,404 arrivals from the 28,270 recorded in 2012.

Last February, DOT and the Russian Consulate of Cebu held a forum called "Meet Russia," which was aimed to introduce the Russian market to the Philippine tourism industry.

The first wave of the "Meet Russia" program allowed Russian tourists to visit Cebu, Bohol and Boracay. Garcia said they hope to open the second wave for a tour to Palawan, Dipolog and Siargao.

Russian tourists, according to Garcia, are considered to be high spenders, long-staying guests who are always on the look-out for something adventurous.

"When we had a group of tourists from Russia come to Cebu, on the first day they wanted to go whale watching in Oslob or go scuba diving. Some would even find the pleasure to roam around the fish market in Carbon," she added. (FREEMAN)