PRBA initiates programs to attract younger tourists

CEBU, Philippines – Business and civic organizations have been exerting efforts to attract younger foreign tourists, specifically students, to come to Cebu and explore its learning opportunities aside from enjoying the province’s leisure attractions.

The Philippine-Russian Business Assembly (PRBA), an organization launched in 2009, is now actively looking at educational exchange programs between schools and universities in both the Philippines and Russia.

PRBA’s head of committee education, Geronimo Sta. Ana, said some of the programs being explored are a faculty exchange program and student exchange program to promote to Russia Cebu’s potential of being a hub to learn English as a second language (ESL).

“Two universities in Cebu, the University of San Carlos and the University of Southern Philippines (USP) have already confirmed to participate in the programs. (This will be an opportunity for Russian teachers and students) to look at the educational facilities in Cebu,” he said during the launch last week of the 2nd Philippine-Russian Business Forum.

PRBA is the principal organization that aims to drive business relations between the Philippines and the Russian Federation. Formed in 2009, it is the first of its kind, a pioneering effort to create opportunities and improve economic ties between both countries. PRBA is currently expanding its membership and inviting all business entities in both countries to participate in new avenues for travel, cultural exchange, trade and investment.

Meanwhile, Bunny Pages, president of the Cebu Leads Foundation (CLF), said PRBA’s initiative will complement with one of CLF’s advocacies to put Cebu as an English learning hub on the world map. CLF’s brainchild, the Cebu Hub for English Learning (Chele), organized the 1st Cebu International Tesol (teachers of English to speakers of foreign language) conference held last week at the Cebu International Convention Center .

Bunny Pages said Chele will provide a venue where stakeholders, especially those engage in teaching English as a second language (ESL), to link with and help each other to professionalize and standardize this booming sector.

Aside from Cebu’s English-teaching potential, the student exchange will also include internship of Russian students in hotels in Cebu , Russian Consul to the Visayas Armi Lopez Garcia said.

“We have talked with HRRAC (hotels, restaurants and resorts Association of Cebu) and they have agreed that they will accommodate Russian interns to work in Cebu,” she said. (FREEMAN)