MUNDI Color is promoting the lesserknown regions of Portugal to ease the over-dependence on the Algarve and Madeira.
The specialist operator is joining forces with the Portuguese National Tourist Board to push Beiras, Alentejo, Aporto and the north of Portugal and Lisbon and the Tagas Valley.
The move is part of the operator’s aim to bring Portugal out of Spain’s shadow in its new 2000 programme, which has just been launched.
Mundi Color marketing consultant Tony Maniscalco said: “We want to bring Portugal more into the frame. There is a tendency for it to be slightly overshadowed by Spain.
“The only regions most people have heard of in Portugal are the Algarve and Madeira. Together with the tourist board we want to promote the other areas.”
A wider choice of pousadas, quintas and manor houses have been added. Prices lead in at £397 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a four-star hotel on the Estoril Coast.
In Spain, Mundi Color has introduced special-interest breaks to try to differentiate itself from rivals.
Landscape painting, primitive pottery and cookery breaks have all been added.
The operator has also issued its Mexico brochure which has been expanded to include Guatemala.
Maniscalco said the long-term aim is to add more Latin America destinations.
“Guatelama was a natural extension of the Mexico programme and others will probably follow” he said.
“Mexico was more of an experimental programme than anything else last year with the brochure available on request. This year we are being more proactive.”
Prices start at £709 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hotel Majestic in Mexico City.