The International Tourism Fair concludes positively, showcasing its capability to attract a record number of 255,000 visitors over its five-day span. The professional days confirmed previous records with a 12% increase in international visitors, reflecting an 11% growth in international exhibitors.
This event reinforced excellent participation figures, with over 10,000 companies from 161 countries, 111 of which represented official participation along with 967 main exhibitors. The economic impact of FITUR 2026 on Madrid has reached 505 million euros, supporting the maintenance of 3,753 jobs. This reaffirms FITUR’s role as one of the most important international events of the year, contributing to the dynamism of both the economy and the national tourism sector.
As the year opened, FITUR confirmed the positive momentum within the tourism sector, reflecting data from 2025 where global arrivals exceeded 1.5 billion, while Spain welcomed 97 million foreign tourists, according to the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
The fair’s 46th edition commenced on Wednesday, January 21, with a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of recent train accidents, a gesture echoed by Their Majesties the Kings of Spain during the official inauguration on Thursday, January 22.
The official inauguration by the Kings of Spain and over 70 institutional visits from regional presidents, ministers, and tourism authorities worldwide highlighted the fair’s strategic role as a global forum for dialogue, cooperation, and the international projection of tourism.
The impressive attendance translated into intensive activities across nine pavilions, where destinations, companies, and institutions showcased their innovations, strategies, and projects. During the professional sessions, the Knowledge Pavilion emerged as a central theme with 8 auditoriums, 10 conference programs, more than 200 sessions, and over 250 speakers.
This assessment, along with the spectacular display of Mexico as the Partner Country, reinforces FITUR’s global leadership in terms of participation and visitors—a critical platform for professionals to generate business opportunities and alliances, enhancing tourism as an economic and social engine and developing a more diverse and competitive future-oriented offer. IFEMA Madrid is already preparing for FITUR 2027, with Puerto Rico as the Partner Country.
