The IACC Texas recently spoke to Mina Amendola, National Sales Director for Perillo Tours, the IACC and Region Lombardia’s partner in the ongoing “Every Day in Lombardy” campaign. The project is intended to raise awareness of off-the-beaten-track destinations in Italy, especially as Italy’s most popular tourist attractions have become overwhelmed with visitors.
Mina worked for the Italy Tourist Board in Chicago for two decades. It was during her time there that she began to interact with IACC Texas director Alessia Paolicchi. When the Regione Lombardia contacted the chamber about helping out with their campaign, she immediately reached out to her colleague Mina who has worked with the legendary Perillo Tours company since 2018.
“As you know,” said Minda, “2024 was an exceptionally high season in Italy and 2025 is the jubilee year. So, the country will continue to see a large amount of tourists.”
“We have packages that we are most popular for,” added Mina, “but our ‘Italy Vacations,’ our custom Italy department, does anything that the client wants.”
When it comes to Lombardy,” the majority of clients are going to Como and the lakes area and Milan,” explained Mina. But she and her company are aiming to change that, in part through the current project and partnership with the IACC and the Regione Lombardia.
Perillo’s Italy Vacations Department is currently talking to people “on the ground” in Lombardy as they develop new itineraries especially for the Every Day in Lombardy campaign.
“If you think Perillo tours,” a company that so many Americans know because of the long-running television ads, “you think Italy. We do all Italy. It’s not just Rome, Venice, and Florence. It’s everything and anything you need for Italy.
“Perillo Tours is the one stop shop for all of Italy and beyond.”
