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CEBU CITY, Philippines - A Department of Foreign Affairs program allowing foreign tourists to visit the country even without a visa for 21 days has increased Russian tourist arrivals in Cebu, an official said.
With the Free Visa program, Russians visiting Cebu went up in the first quarter of the year, said Armi Garcia, Russian honorary consul on Friday.
Although she could not give specific figures, Garcia said arrivals exceeded 2007 figures, which was at least 3,000 arrivals.
Garcia, however, is proposing that a Russian language school be established to address the language barrier problem between Russian tourists and Cebuanos.
?Having a Russian language school is a must,? Garcia said.
She said that addressing the language barrier problem can bring in more Russian tourists to Cebu.
She said there was a need to equip tourism industry players with basic knowledge on the Russian culture and food.
She said this is needed so that these tourism industry workers can better address the needs of the Russians while they are on vacation here.
Garcia said that learning to speak the Russian language will also open opportunities for employment to spa attendants and therapists.
She said that they are planning to also open a course on Russian language in one of the Cebu-based universities.
Meanwhile, Wilson Ng of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said that Cebu provincial government and the business communities here are trying to establish links with the Russian government.
He said Russia, China and India are emerging "economic powerhouses" today following the steps of the United States of America and Japan.
Ng cited Russia's proximity to the Philippines as a potential market for local products and services.
Ng was with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's recent nine-day visit to Russia. The visit focused on meeting with business chambers of Vladimir and St. Petersburg.
During the visit, Governor Garcia also entered into a sister city relationship with Vladimir region.
The delegation showed videos of Cebu to their counterparts in Russia to introduce the province in that country.
Russian consul Garcia said that Governor Garcia also extended invitations especially made for next year's Pasigarbo sa Sugbu and the One Cebu exhibit that will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in time for the provincial government's founding anniversary.
?They wanted to come and they wanted to experience the warm weather, the Cebuano hospitality and the facilities that we have here,? Garcia said.
