Thursday, July 2, 2009

RUSSIAN INVESTORS EYE OLONGAPO AS NEXT TOURIST DESTINATION

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.’s recent visit to Russia opened a window of opportunity for Olongapo City to attract tourists and investments.

On Monday, Alexander Zusik, president of Philippines-Russia International Development Enterprise (PRIDE), Audrey Zverev, general director of PRIDE’s Moscow Office and Elizabeth Joudro arrived in the Olongapo to scout for probable business venture and tourist destinations in the city.

PRIDE is working on bringing Russian tourists to Olongapo and Subic Bay. With Russia’s booming economy, Russians are looking for countries to visit and relax as tourists and also invest their excess money in worthwhile projects especially in Asia. Russians are known to love the sand, the beach and bask in the sun which Olongapo has plenty of.

“I am promoting Olongapo as another tourist destination for Russians in the Philippines,” said Gordon. “I also encourage them to invest.”

PRIDE has already established an office at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The company was primarily engaged in the business of tour-operations, travel agency, international tour packages. But the company’s long-term plan is to invite other Russian investors to construct and operate eco-friendly resorts and hotel complexes for the Russians’ leisure activities.

The company is seriously considering building hotels and resorts in the city and the Freeport Zone. These establishments will cater to the Russian market and will surely add more variety to the type of tourists that frequent Olongapo and Subic Bay such as the Americans, Taiwanese, Koreans and Japanese.

“More investments means more jobs for Olongapeños,” Gordon enthused. “The city government is continuously providing free trainings that are related to the industries that we cater to and are in demand, such as welding and housekeeping,” shares Gordon.

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