More Russian tourists coming to Boracay - DoT

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Maabung turistang Russians, magabakasyon sa Boracay / Bombo Radyo

BORACAY – Expect more Russian tourists to visit the island resort of Boracay owing to familiarization trips and group tours last year, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.
Regional director Edwin Trompeta said the number of Russian tourists should be increasing as a result of successful familiarization trips to Boracay Island of the major tour operators from Russia and the ongoing negotiation for direct flights to Manila.
Boracay is the preferred destination of traditional Russian tourists who wants to escape the winter season in their country. The island’s white sand beaches, dive sites and the natural friendliness of the inhabitants persuaded the Russian tourists to spend their holiday in Boracay Island, the DoT said.
In 2009, 3,202 Russian tourists visited the island, although the Koreans are the top tourism market with 69,438 arrivals or 36 percent of the total foreigners who enter Boracay Island.
Last year, Caticlan airport, the main jump-off point to Boracay Island, registered 17,988 flights and 550,084 passengers, of which 96,585 of the incoming passengers are foreigners and 145,505 domestic passengers. Kalibo International Airport also serviced 5,203 domestic flights and 360 regional flights from Korea, Taiwan and mainland China.
The provincial government is targeting to achieve one million tourists by 2013 with the expected operations of the new international passenger terminal building in the capital town of Kalibo this year and the completion of Caticlan airport in the next 7 years.