The International Tourism Trade Fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID, has closed its doors with a positive outcome, reaffirming its strong convening power by slightly surpassing 255,000 visitors over its five days.

 During the professional days, attendance figures from the previous edition were consolidated at 155,000 visitors, with a 12 percent increase in international attendance, in line with the 11 percent growth in international exhibitors. Likewise, the general public attendance over the weekend was consolidated at 100,000 travellers.

 These results consolidate FITUR’s outstanding participation figures, with more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries, including 111 countries with official representation, and 967 main exhibitors. The economic impact of FITUR 2026 on Madrid reached €505 million, while supporting the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, confirming the fair’s position as one of the region’s most significant international events of the year and a key contributor to economic and tourism activity.

 FITUR thus opens 2026 by confirming the strong momentum of the global tourism sector. This favourable context is reflected in 2025 figures, a year in which, according to UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion, while Spain welcomed 97 million international tourists, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

 The 46th edition opened on Wednesday 21 January with a minute of silence, reflecting the tourism sector’s solidarity with the victims of recent railway accidents. The gesture was echoed during the official opening on Thursday 22 January, when Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain signed the book of condolences at the Andalucía stand.

FITUR, the International Tourism Fair organized by IFEMA MADRID, had officially opened its 46th edition with the attendance of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. 

Madrid once again becomes the focal point of global tourism as it hosts the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), organised by IFEMA MADRID from January 21-25, 2026. In its 46th edition, FITUR strengthens its position as the sector’s leading platform, highlighting both its international reach and its commitment to knowledge as a driver of industry transformation.

In a context in which sustainability has become a priority for global tourism development, FITUR is playing its role as a benchmark for promoting a responsible transformation of the industry. With Mexico as Partner Country, the International Tourism Trade Fair is once again bringing together the global market from January 21-25, 2026 at IFEMA MADRID, boosting business, institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange at a turning point for the industry.

According to UN Tourism, international arrivals increased globally by five percent in the first half of 2025. Same sources pointed that global tourism expenditure is expected to reach USD2.1 trillion. These figures highlight the strength of a growing industry while highlighting the need to adopt more efficient, resilient practices that deliver lasting social and environmental benefits

Against this scenario, FITUR 2026 wants to strengthen its commitment through the Knowledge Hub, open on the professionals-only days from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 January. The Hub will showcase approaches that combine economic strength with responsible resource management and support for local communities, offering new ways to transform tourism in both practice and strategy

Under the slogan “Where travel begins”, FITUR invites participants and visitors to perceive sustainability as a driver of destination strength and a pillar of the global tourism industry. Thus, in its 46th edition, the FITUR will incorporate for the first time GENAQ atmospheric water generators, which will feed part of the water supply during the event and will significantly reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. Eight drinking fountains will be installed at different points of FITUR. The point is reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transport and distribution of bottled water and employing a renewable and local energy source: air humidity.

FITUR also fosters the adoption of environmental criteria among its exhibitors through the Sustainable Stand Award, which recognises organisations that integrate responsible practices in the design, construction and operation of their stand spaces. The award evaluates aspects such as the use of recyclable materials, energy efficiency, waste management and accessibility of the stands.

Beyond promoting conscious participation and visits, FITUR positions itself as an international platform for the identification and dissemination of high-impact sustainable solutions. The FITURNEXT Sustainability Observatory leads this work by identifying replicable initiatives in destinations around the world.

For 2026, the observatory has focused its FITURNEXT Challenge on the efficient and responsible management of water, one of the most vulnerable resources in many tourism environments. After assessing more than 250 projects, the jury decided on the winning proposals of: Fundación Visit València (Spain), Barceló Regen (Spain) and Plastic Cup (Hungary).

FITUR's growing specialisation through its sections —FITUR 4all, FITUR Cruises, FITUR Lingua, FITUR LGTB+, FITUR Screen, FITUR Talent, FITUR Sports and FITUR Woman —contributes to diversifying the tourism offer and promoting a more inclusive, accessible and decentralised industry in both seasonal and geographical terms. This sectoral structure broadens FITUR's scale and emphasizes its contribution to a more balanced and sustainable tourism.

Finally, FITUR 2026 will deepen its environmental commitment through the comprehensive measurement of its carbon footprint, both direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and indirect emissions (Scope 3). This approach will help build a more responsible event model and provide key insights for improving future trade fairs.

With this edition, FITUR reaffirms its role as a catalyst for the changes shaping the future of global tourism and positions itself as a meeting point where institutions, companies, destinations and professionals find inspiration, knowledge and strategic partnerships to drive a more resilient, inclusive industry aligned with major international challenges.

As competition for global tourism increasingly depends on digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and creating connected experiences, the Travel Technology area is emerging as a driving force for the sector transformation at FITUR 2026.

The International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR, which is taking place from January 21-25, 2025, at IFEMA MADRID, presents the fourth consecutive edition of FITUR Sports.

The 45th International Tourism Fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID, closes its doors on January 26 with outstanding participation and attendance figures. FITUR has exceeded expectations, reaching a first estimate of nearly 255,000 visitors, with significant growth in its first three days, which welcomed 155,000 professionals.

Organized by IFEMA MADRID, the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) brings together the global tourism market in its 45th edition, showcasing from January 22 to 26 the outstanding performance of the tourism industry in 2024 and the promising expectations for 2025.

FITUR 2025, taking place from January 22-26, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be highlighting the strong tourism potential between Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where around 10 companies will be exhibiting their tourism offers at the trade fair, mainly tour operators and Dubai’s iconic Atlantis Hotel, among others.

Tourism has reached 790 million international tourists, generating a direct global economic impact of approximately USD3.4 trillion in the first seven months of this year, according to UN Tourism statistics.