Winter in Boracay for 1,500 Russians

ILOILO CITY – Scores of Russian tourists who want to escape the harsh winter in their homeland are expected to visit Boracay starting next month, the Department of Tourism said.

Tour operators in the country were able to book around 1,000 to 1,500 Russian tourists for a stay at the world-famous island in Aklan, DOT regional director for Western Visayas Edwin Trompeta told The STAR.

The staff of various resorts and restaurants on the island have started learning basic Russian language and cuisine in anticipation of the arrival of the Russian tourists, Trompeta said.

In January to February this year, about 450 tourists from Vladivostok stayed in Boracay for up to two weeks because they wanted avoid winter in Russia.

“They were part of a huge group of Russian tourists who chartered two flights from Vladivostok. It took us three days to transport them all from Manila to Boracay,” Trompeta said.

According to Trompeta, Russians will compose the second biggest group of tourists from December to February next year, next to East Asians.

Businesses on the island should expect a windfall profit with the arrival of the Russian tourists, Trompeta said.

“They are big spenders,” he stressed. “And they stay longer compared to other tourists.”

According to him, an average Russian tourist’s vacation is from 10 to 15 days.

Even with the credit crisis affecting the world economy, Trompeta still expects these Russian tourists to spend during vacation.

“The Russian economy is strong because they have oil,” he said.

“Russian tourists are not content with half-day shopping. Now, they are asking their tour operators to book at least a day and a half for shopping; and they really spend,” Trompeta said.