“Meet Russia” Forum Held in Cebu

The Russian Consulate of Cebu Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), held a “Meet Russia” forum yesterday in Cebu City.

Russian Federation Honorary Consul Armi L. Garcia said, “Meet Russia” is aimed at introducing the Russian market to Philippine tourism industry workers and re-acquaint them with the Russian culture as well.

“We are expecting a bigger influx of Russian tourists this year and we should be prepared for their arrival,” Consul Garcia said. “These Russian tourists would love to be pampered, especially because they have learned about our world-renowned hospitable traits from their fellow countrymen who previously have visited Cebu.”

Some representatives from Russia were expected to arrive for the gathering, which was held in cooperation with the Russian Federation Embassy.

Garcia said tour operators and guides and hotels and resorts personnel have been invited to attend the event.

Philippine Russian Business Assembly (PRBA) Chairperson Consul Armi Garcia with Russian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Nikolay Kudashev. (Image credit: sunstar.com.ph)

“We are very grateful to the Department of Tourism for their support in this forum and in our efforts to bring in more visitors from Russia,” Garcia said.

After the “Meet Russia” assembly, The Russian Consulate together with the Philippine Russian Business Assembly, (PRBA ) again in partnership with the Department of Tourism, will be holding a Russian Language and Culture Course for tourism and hospitality industry workers in Cebu.

The compassionate traits of the Filipinos must have made a remarkable impression on the Russians as quite a number of them have already signified their intention to tour the Philippines, especially Cebu, Garcia said.

“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 have spread in Russia,” the lady consul said.

The language crash course will be conducted by an expert teacher hired by the PRBA.

“Our tour guides and hotel/resort staff must learn to speak and understand the Russian language, as well as know the culture of the country and its people,” according to Garcia.

Students will learn to speak and understand the Russian language after completing the 60-hour basic course. Classes will start on February 25, which will be held at the Rizal Hall, of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation along Rizal ave. in Lahug, this city. For more details, please call Liza Pangan 032 3436158 or 09173101942.

Photo above: A family of Russian tourists all set for their tour in the islands. (Image credit: www.rappler.com)