FITUR 2026 Closes in Madrid with 255,000 Visitors and €505 Million Economic Impact

Madrid, Spain | 25 January 2026

The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) concluded its 46th edition in Madrid on Sunday, confirming its status as one of the world’s leading tourism industry events and a major driver of economic and tourism activity.

Organised by IFEMA MADRID from 21-25 Jan, 2026, FITUR 2026 attracted more than 255,000 visitors over five days, maintaining strong attendance levels from previous editions. Professional attendance reached 155,000 visitors, with international participation increasing by 12%, in line with an 11% rise in international exhibitors. Public attendance during the weekend totalled 100,000 travellers.

According to organisers, the event generated an estimated €505 million in economic impact for the city of Madrid and supported the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, reinforcing FITUR’s importance as one of the region’s most significant international events.

This year’s fair brought together more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries, including 111 countries with official representation, and featured 967 main exhibitors, highlighting FITUR’s global reach and convening power.

Strong Global Tourism Context

FITUR 2026 opened against a backdrop of robust global tourism performance. Data from UNWTO indicate that international tourist arrivals worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion in 2025, while Spain welcomed 97 million international visitors, according to figures from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

The fair officially opened on Wednesday, 21 January, with a minute of silence in solidarity with the victims of recent railway accidents. This gesture was repeated during the official inauguration on Thursday, 22 January, presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, who also signed the book of condolences at the Andalucía stand.

Institutional Support and Knowledge Exchange

FITUR 2026 received strong institutional backing, with more than 70 official visits by regional presidents, ministers and deputy ministers of tourism from around the world, as well as senior tourism authorities. Organisers highlighted these visits as evidence of FITUR’s strategic role as a global forum for dialogue, cooperation and international projection within the tourism sector.

Across nine exhibition halls, destinations, companies and institutions presented new products, strategies and projects. The Knowledge Hub played a central role during the professional days, hosting eight auditoriums, ten thematic conference programmes, more than 200 sessions and over 250 speakers.

Focus on Innovation and Emerging Segments

FITUR’s specialised sections expanded the scope of the event, with initiatives such as FITUR 4all, FITUR Cruises, and the newly launched FITUR Experience, alongside FITUR Lingua and FITUR LGTB+, highlighting emerging and high-growth tourism segments. Other sections — including FITUR Screen, Sports, Talent, TechY, FITUR Woman, and FITUR Know-How & Export — focused on innovation, sustainability, talent development and the international expertise of Spanish tourism companies.

With Mexico as Partner Country, FITUR 2026 once again underscored its international leadership in participation, visitor numbers and business generation, while reinforcing tourism’s role as a key economic and social driver worldwide.