many clients express an interest in visiting the wine cellars in Oporto,” said Stanley. Two-night breaks start from £260 with bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the two-star Hotel Malaposta, including flights.
JMC is currently the only mass-market operator to offer Oporto and the north.
Product and planning director Alan MacLean doubts whether it will become a mass-market destination.
“It’s popular with repeat clients, as well as older clients and couples, but not in great numbers,” he said.
CONCERNS that northern Portugal is being neglected by the UK market has prompted the Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office to focus on the region in its 2000 advertising campaign.
While the Algarve and Madeira are staples of every UK operator’s programmes, many do not feature the north.
Although the UK is Portugal’s number one market overall, sales are heavily concentrated on these two best-selling destinations. In the north, the UK sales is the third most popular market.
PTTO head of tourism Mario Ferreira aims to redress the balance.
“While we have to work on consolidating and increasing the UK share in the Algarve, we have to work even harder to let people know there is another Portugal to visit.
“There will be evidence of this in the 2000 advertising campaign,” he said.
‘The hidden Portugal’, as Ferreira called it, includes the most northerly region, Costa Verde – the Green Coast, home to Oporto and the wine-producing Douro Valley, as well as the western Costa de Prata.
Mundi Color consultant Tony Maniscalco advised travel agents selling these regions to focus on the good-living aspect. “Our clients go to places like the Douro Valley because they enjoy history and the culture, as well as the food and wine. Remember that a three-course meal here with wine can cost as little £6,” he said.
Mundi is currently expanding its range of products. From April 2000, seven-night cruises will be available on the River Douro. The all-inclusive package leads in at £1,000.
Magic of Portugal has also expanded its coverage of the north in its 1999/2000 brochure by introducing stays in country houses.
These include number of manor houses, which have been converted into tourist properties, dating back to the 18th century. According to Magic product manager for Spain and Portugal, Sean Lowe, they are a key addition to the programme.
“The houses are on a par with a three to four-star hotel, and are ideal for the typical Magic customer who is willing to be a bit more adventurous providing it is a good-quality holiday,” said Lowe.
Magic features the Torre dos Refois – a converted 13th-century monastery – from £493 per person in summer for seven nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation, including flights.
Other additions include the O Casarao Manor House in the Douro Valley, with prices from £455 for one week.
Meanwhile, Oporto is slowly becoming more of a mainstay for specialist operators, particularly as a weekend break destination.
Currently undergoing a £120m revamp in preparation for European City of Culture status in 2001, the city is home to the new Serralves Museum – Portugal’s only gallery dedicated to contemporary art – and is the centre of the country’s wine trade.
Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley described the city as a small but valuable player, with bookings up 50% on last year.
“Competitive pricing and the port wine link have helped many clients express an interest in visiting the wine cellars in Oporto,” said Stanley. Two-night breaks start from £260 with bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the two-star Hotel Malaposta, including flights.
JMC is currently the only mass-market operator to offer Oporto and the north.
Product and planning director Alan MacLean doubts whether it will become a mass-market destination.
“It’s popular with repeat clients, as well as older clients and couples, but not in great numbers,” he said.
Northern Portugal
Mundi Color: the Vino Verde Trail. A flydrive holiday, touring Portugal’s wine country. Price leads in at £499 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at a choice of hotels from Mundi Color’s brochure. Price includes scheduled flights with TAP, and a hire car
Magic of Portugal: the 2000 brochure offers a wide range of exploring breaks. A seven-night bed-and-breakfast package is available from £395 per person. This includes one night at the Sintra Tivoli, three nights at the Astoria (Coimbra) and three nights at the International in Oporto.