FITUR 2025: A Global Showcase of Tourism Excellence and Innovation
The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), organized by IFEMA MADRID, is set to kick off its 45th edition from January 22 to 26, 2025. This year's event promises to highlight the tourism industry's remarkable recovery in 2024 while casting an optimistic eye towards 2025.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation, FITUR seeks to celebrate the pride of belonging to the travel sector, showcasing a diverse array of offerings from destinations and companies alike. As the first major event on the international tourism calendar, FITUR continues to assert its dominance, attracting significant participation from both public and private sectors.
This year, the fair will feature 9,500 companies from 156 countries, with 884 exhibitors showcasing their products across nine pavilions, including 101 nations with official representation—an increase of five countries compared to the last edition. Attendance at FITUR 2025 is expected to be robust, with projections estimating 150,000 professionals attending during the first three days and around 100,000 general public visitors over the weekend. This impressive turnout is anticipated to generate an economic impact of €445 million for Madrid, benefiting various sectors such as transportation, hospitality, and entertainment. In light of the tourism sector's recovery, FITUR 2025 is marked by growth, with a 10% increase in main exhibitors compared to last year, and a 19% rise in international participation.
A notable highlight is Brazil’s role as the Partner Country, showcasing its diverse tourism offerings and reinforcing its global appeal. Reports indicate that by October 2024, Brazil welcomed 13% more international travelers than the previous year. Reflecting the increasing importance of technology in travel, the Travel Technology segment has expanded, featuring over 100 companies dedicated to innovation in the industry. FITUR aims to create an environment for knowledge-sharing and best practices, focusing on responsible tourism and the economic and social significance of the sector. The fair will also renew its 10 thematic sections, promoting connections between tourism and other sectors to create new traveler niches.
Highlights include FITUR Cruises, which emphasizes eco-friendly practices in the cruise industry; FITUR LGBT+, focusing on diversity; and FITUR Techy, which explores the impact of AI on travel management. Other sections such as FITUR Talent and FITUR 4all aim to address talent development and accessible tourism, respectively. In a commitment to sustainability, FITUR will measure its carbon footprint and partner with Holafly to provide visitors with 24 hours of free eSIM service, ensuring high-quality connectivity during the fair. On the weekend of January 25 and 26, FITUR will open its doors to the general public, offering a unique opportunity to explore global travel experiences through interactive activities, live performances, culinary tastings, and more.
This is a chance for visitors to discover a world of travel without leaving the venue, enriching their understanding of the diverse offerings available in the tourism sector. As FITUR 2025 approaches, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a landmark event in the global tourism calendar, celebrating the resilience and innovation of the travel industry.
