FITUR 2026 has closed its doors in Madrid with a solid performance that reinforces its status as one of the most influential tourism trade fairs in the world. Organized by IFEMA MADRID, the event welcomed slightly more than 255,000 visitors over five days, underlining its strong convening power at a time when global tourism continues its recovery and expansion.
Attendance during the professional days remained steady at 155,000 visitors, matching figures from the previous edition. What stood out was the international dimension. International attendance rose by 12 percent, closely aligned with the 11 percent increase in international exhibitors. Over the public weekend, the fair received around 100,000 travelers, confirming FITUR’s dual role as both a professional marketplace and a public-facing tourism showcase.
FITUR 2026 brought together more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries. Of these, 111 countries participated with official representation, supported by 967 main exhibitors across nine exhibition halls. These figures once again place FITUR among the largest tourism fairs globally, both in scale and diversity.
The economic impact on the city of Madrid reached an estimated 505 million euros. The event also supported the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, reinforcing its position as one of the most significant international events on the regional calendar and a major driver of tourism-related economic activity.
The positive outcome of FITUR 2026 aligns with broader trends in global tourism. According to UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion in 2025. Spain alone welcomed 97 million international visitors, based on figures from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism. This wider context helps explain the strong interest from destinations, companies, and institutions seeking visibility, partnerships, and market intelligence at FITUR.
The 46th edition opened on Wednesday 21 January with a minute of silence in solidarity with the victims of recent railway accidents. This 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 Andalucia stand.
Institutional backing remained one of FITUR 2026‘s defining features. The official inauguration was presided over by Their Majesties, alongside more than 70 institutional visits throughout the fair. Regional presidents, ministers, deputy ministers of tourism, and senior tourism officials from around the world attended, underlining FITUR’s role as a strategic platform for dialogue, cooperation, and international projection within the tourism sector.
Activity across the exhibition halls was intense throughout the professional days. Destinations, tourism boards, and private sector players presented new products, strategies, and investment projects. The Knowledge Hub stood out as a central pillar of the event, hosting eight auditoriums, ten conference programs, more than 200 sessions, and over 250 speakers.
The fair’s specialized sections added depth and relevance to the overall program. FITUR 4all continued to advance accessible and inclusive tourism. FITUR Cruises strengthened discussions around sustainable blue tourism, while the launch of FITUR Experience, alongside FITUR Lingua and FITUR LGTB+, brought renewed attention to fast-growing travel segments.
FITUR Screen, Sports, Talent, and TechY explored the intersection of tourism with culture, sport, skills development, and technology. FITUR Woman highlighted female leadership within the sector, and FITUR Know-How and Export showcased the international expertise and export capacity of Spanish tourism companies.
With Mexico featured as Partner Country, FITUR 2026 reaffirmed its global leadership in terms of participation, visitor numbers, and professional relevance. The fair once again proved its ability to generate business opportunities, foster international partnerships, and strengthen tourism’s role as both an economic engine and a social connector.
IFEMA MADRID has already confirmed preparations for the next edition. FITUR 2027 will welcome Puerto Rico as its Partner Country, continuing the fair’s tradition of spotlighting destinations with strong cultural identity and international appeal.
