ILOILO CITY ? Zdrastvuite. Magu ya vam chem-topomoch? (Hello. Can I help you).?

Tourism front-liners in Boracay will soon be adept in basic Russian greetings and in conducting simple conversation in a series of language and lifestyle courses in preparation for more tourists from Russia.

The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) has been holding the seminars since July this year for the expected surge of Russian visitors availing of a 21-day visa privilege to encourage more tourists to visit the Philippines.

?We want to equip hotel and resort staff and those involved in other service related functions so that we can cater to them better,? said BFI executive director Virgie Sarabia.

The BFI has been closely working with the Russian consulate in holding the series of seminars.

The first seminar conducted in July focused on lifestyle, gourmet and cultural beliefs and practices.

Among the things that front liners should remember in dealing with Russian tourists is to be punctual in meetings and appointments. But they also should be prepared for the meetings to drag on with a long period of socializing before tackling business concerns.

The seminar participants were also given a crash course and demonstration in Russian gourmet cooking.

Dmitry Larionov, Protocol Officer of the Russian embassy, and Alexander Kravets, chef of Ambassador Vitaly Vorobiev, and Honorary Consul Armi Lopez Garcia, helped give the seminar.

Kravets offered demonstrations in preparing Russian gourmets like golubtsy with fish, tomato and sour cream sauce; a cabbage roll dish; bliny with meat or with fish stuffing; crepes; vegetable stew; sautéed zucchini and eggplant in tomato paste.

Recently, a two-day seminar-workshop on basic Russian language was held with at least 25 participants.

Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said Russia was previously not a focus of marketing programs of the Department of Tourism.

?It was not our usual market. But we were surprised when Russian tourists started coming in droves in recent years,? Trompeta told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.

The tourists are usually composed of young professionals and businessmen and the new rich who have benefited from the recent economic growth in Russia.

?The Russian market is growing very fast and we have to be prepared,? said Trompeta.

The tourists usually arrive in November just before the onset of winter and until summer.

Industry stakeholders are giving extra attention to Russian tourists because they usually come in groups, stay longer and spend more compared to other tourists.

In August, the DOT spearheaded a team to Moscow for a Wellness and Leisure Fair as part of its marketing and promotion blitz, according to Trompeta.

In January alone, two airplanes loaded with about 500 Russian tourists came to Boracay, said Trompeta.

Aside from visiting tourist destinations, they also go shopping in malls and department stores.

?They spend a lot of time to shop and they even complained when we give them half a day to go shopping,? said Trompeta.

He said this is good news for the country?s tourism industry and not just for Boracay.