Accor Hotels foresees an increase in its hotel capacity in Portugal of 30 per cent by 2005-6.

Director general of Accor Group for Southern Europe, Jean-Louis Claveau, says the group will be “focusing on urban sites” and intends opening hotels with between 150-200 rooms.

Accor’s current portfolio in Portugal (two Sofitels, four Novotels, six Mercure and 17 Ibis) totals 29 hotels but the company hopes to increase it to around 40 hotels with a capacity of 4,000-4,500 rooms.

The group opened the Hotel Mercure Porto this week at Vila Nova de Gaia in the heart of the port region. The interior depicts the history and production of the liqueur.

Within the next two years two more Ibis hotels are planned for Porto and a new economy brand “Etap au Portugal” is due to open in Porto and Lisbon. Three more Ibis will also be opened in Lisbon.

Accor is in partnership with the Amorim Group which encompasses cork production, estate agents and tourism. Details: www.accorhotels.com