In an attempt to attract more Italian tourists, Cozumel's Tourism Promotion Board has signed an agreement with the Italian Chamber of Commerce, reported local newspaper, El Semanario, this week.

Island targets Italians.

Many thousands of Italians visit the Mexican Caribbean every year and it's estimated that as many as 15 thousand are also resident on the coast nearby.

Raúl Marrufo González, head of Cozumel's Tourism Promotion Board, signed the accord in Mexico City with Alberico Peyron, General Manager for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, reported the island's weekly paper.

Marrufo said the deal is part of a strategy to target more European visitors and diversify tourism in Cozumel, so it is not so dependent on the U.S. and Canadian markets.

European success with Pullmantur.

Around $35,000 will be spent on the Italian marketing campaign, which will allow Cozumel promotional opportunities at major events organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

The news comes just weeks after another European success, when Spanish cruise line, Pullmantur, started to use Cozumel as a base - or homeport - for its Caribbean cruises.