7 October 2015 – The Philippine Embassy joined the successful Russia launch of  “VISIT THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN 2016” at the St. Petersburg International Airport with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta inaugurating the Philippine display.  The promotional event was organized by Department of Tourism Representatives Ms. Diegeli SJ. Liwanag and Ms. Lylen Therese V. Guevara together with the ACCESS DESTINATION Group.

Prior to the launching, Ambassador Sorreta held a conference together with the representatives of the Department of Tourism and officials of the St. Petersburg International Airport. 

Around 25 Russian media representatives, including travel writers, joined the press conference. Present also was top Russian businessman Sergey Alexeev, the Philippine Honorary Consul General in St. Petersburg.

At the Press Conference, Ambassador Sorreta said that St. Petersburg is an excellent place to launch this initiative “because this city has always been the window of Russia to the world, it is through St. Petersburg that Russia has in its long history reached out to many places overseas.”  He also described the many world-class tourist destinations in the country.

When asked about water activities, Ambassador Sorreta said, “We have the best beaches and beach resorts. When it comes to water activities, you can go underwater and snorkel or dive, you can go on the water and surf, sail, cruise or jet ski, you can even go over the water and go paragliding.”

Ms. Diegeli SJ. Liwanag of the Department of Tourism’s Market Development Group, Tourism Development Sector, also gave a briefing on Visit the Philippines Again 2016 and a video presentation to the gathered journalists. 

While in St. Petersburg, Ambassador Sorreta was interviewed by Aleksandra Rytheu of PRAVDA at its office. During the interview, Ambassador Sorreta discussed the tourist attractions as well as the many trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines.   He also discussed the general state of relations between the Philippines and Russia.  Ambassador Sorreta was also interviewed by Ms. Aleksandra Rytheu of St. Petersburg TV.

The Philippine exhibit and mascot will also be going to several major airports in the Russian Federation over the coming months. In all his interviews, Ambassador Sorreta also expressed the commitment to work closely with the Department of Tourism, Russian media, Russian travel agents and other stakeholders in promoting the Philippines as an excellent tourist destination for Russians. END