Massive Travel Fair in Madrid Reveals Growth, Opens Doors for African Partnerships
The 45th International Tourism Fair, hosted by IFEMA MADRID, recently concluded with remarkable turnout and record-breaking achievements. Popularly known as FITUR, this annual event drew an impressive crowd of nearly 255,000 visitors, with around 155,000 of them identified as industry professionals.Such momentum underscores the strong rebound of global tourism and augments exciting prospects for African travel stakeholders.
These figures mirror the ongoing expansion of worldwide tourism, which welcomed an estimated 1.4 billion international visitors in 2024, as reported by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Spain alone registered around 94 million tourists, with the city of Madrid attracting 16 million arrivals. This upward trend aligns with African travel aspirations, given the continent’s growing share of the tourism market, as more countries invest in improved infrastructure to support travel and business potential.
Projections for 2025 appear even more promising, suggesting both traveler numbers and tourism expenditures will continue to rise in line with high global demand. Worldwide income from tourism already stands at around 1.9 trillion US dollars. Spain’s ongoing surge has reached 126 billion euros in total spending, while the Madrid region accounts for 16 billion euros. This optimistic outlook points to significant opportunities for African travel agents, who can tap into this momentum through partnerships with Spanish and international businesses.
In its latest edition, FITUR 2025 solidified its place as a premier event, occupying nine halls and hosting over 9,500 companies across 884 stands. More than 156 countries showcased their offerings, with 101 official delegations reinforcing FITUR’s status as a global hub for forging new alliances. These gatherings also contribute an estimated 445 million euros to Madrid’s local economy—economic activity that highlights the broader potential for African operators to expand into European markets.
Under the slogan “Proud. We Are Tourism,” the fair placed a premium on sustainability and balanced growth, echoing Africa’s own drive toward conscientious development. Experts emphasized methods like diversification, reducing seasonality, and leveraging new technological tools as essential steps to maintaining a competitive and responsible tourism industry across the globe. This strategy goes hand in hand with the rise of alternative travel segments—including sports, film, and language tourism—that uphold sustainable and inclusive principles.
With Brazil as the Partner Country, the fair was officially inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain. Leaders and innovators from across the tourism spectrum showcased fresh trends, exchanged valuable industry insights, and spotlighted the collaborative spirit that characterizes today’s global travel environment. By embracing these dynamic developments, African travel professionals stand to boost their own region’s appeal and reinforce a more prosperous future for the entire continent.
