29 September 2004 The Philippines DOT wins recognition award in Moscow Travel Fair
Overwhelmed by the aggressive participation of the Philippines at the 10th Leisure Otdyktt Fair in Moscow, the Russian government gave a recognition award to the Philippine Department of Tourism for its marketing and promotions efforts in Russia.
Russian Tourism Minister Aleksi Mishin handed a gold plated symbolic star award to Philippine Department of Tourism Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Marie Venus Tan. For the first time, the country has made our mark in the Russian travel market.
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has announced the appointment of Edward Grigoriev as the new Tourism Marketing Representative for Russia. “His extensive knowledge of the market and his wide Russian travel business dealings will enable the tourism industry to get a bigger slice of the Russian travel market,” the DOT chief said.
Several Russian operators and agents were upbeat to get more information on travel options to the Philippines and to seek for business partners for inbound travel during the travel fair.
Aside from the Philippine-DOT, the Philippine exporters led by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines also participated in the event.
After China and India, the outbound market from the Russian Federation holds great promise for the Asia-Pacific countries. Its large population of nearly 150 million and huge geographical spread across 17,075, 200 sq. kilometers from Asia to Europe, cultural diversity, its shift to a market economy, freezing cold winters and largely landlocked status provide the underlying foundations for strong outbound travel in pursuit of warmth, sun, sea and wind. The Philippine-DOT has not lost time in establishing its foothold in Russia.
The Russians perceived the Philippines as an exotic location and a diving destination in Asia especially among the Russian divers. Many Russians are looking for luxury destinations for high priced vacations.
The tourism industry on the other hand, has prepared diving tour packages in Palawan and Mindoro, likewise, exotic tour packages in Davao, and Cebu and cruise to Palawan, Iloilo and Boracay Island for the Russian travel market.
