Category Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators

Tours focused on culture, history and heritage continue to be the leading experiences sought by people booking trips to Spain, according to experts participating today in FITUR Experience, the new section of the International Tourism Trade Fair organised in collaboration with Viator, a Tripadvisor company. The event highlighted the growing importance of experiential tourism in Spain. Speakers also noted that among the fastest-growing experiences are outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, cultural excursions, theatre and music.

The 16th edition of FITUR LGBT+, organized by FITUR in collaboration with JN Global Project, took place within the framework of the International Tourism Fair as a key professional forum showcasing inclusive destinations, initiatives and activities linked to diverse tourism. Under the slogan “Mucho más que turismo” / “Beyond Tourism”, the professional sessions underlined the role of diversity, inclusion and safety as strategic pillars of tourism promotion, as well as the institutional and business commitment to an open, responsible tourism model aligned with fundamental rights.

Puerto Rico will take centre stage at the International Tourism Fair in 2027 as Partner Country, as announced today at the country’s stand by Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA MADRID, and Jennifer González Colón, Governor of Puerto Rico. The announcement was also attended by Willianette Robles Cancel, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), and Jorge L. Pérez, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Puerto Rico, together with Arancha Priede, IFEMA MADRID’s Managing Director of Trade Fair and Congress Business, and María Valcarce, Director of FITUR.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has appointed Elvira Dyangani Ose as Artistic Director of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial to curate its second edition which opens in the autumn of 2026 and runs into 2027.

Building on the success of the inaugural edition that opened in 2024, the next edition of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, under Dyangani Ose’s direction, will transform Abu Dhabi once again into an emirate-wide celebration of public art, culture and community.

As travellers begin their holiday planning for 2026, the Balearic Islands invite the world to mark their calendars for a year of unforgettable experiences. From inspiring cultural festivals, culinary celebrations and sporting events, the Mediterranean archipelago is set to deliver a vibrant programme across all four seasons and warrant big red circles in the 2026 wall calendar. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, pristine turquoise waters and stunning natural landscapes to match, the islands provide the perfect backdrop for a host of exciting events throughout the new year.

Pinwheel has today announced that it has been nominated for The 2026 Earthshot Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards.

The fourth edition of FITUR Sports opened yesterday as part of the International Tourism Fair, running from January 21 to 25, consolidating its position as an international meeting point for sports tourism professionals. Organized by IFEMA MADRID in collaboration with AFYDAD, the section will focus over three days on outdoor sports, competitive sports and sporting events, and Sports Business Travel, with a strong focus on the professional business.

The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) started its first day with 52,000 professional visitors, 55% of them from overseas.

The tourism industry marked the start of FITUR 2026 with a minute’s silence, paying tribute to the victims of the recent railway accident that shocked the country.

For one month each year, Saudi changes its rhythm entirely. Days grow quieter and slower, and then, as the sun sets, Saudi comes alive. Streets fill, tables stretch long, music and storytelling echo through historic districts, and cities transform into social spaces shaped by food, family, and shared moments.
For visitors, Ramadan offers one of the most immersive ways to experience Saudi, not through landmarks alone, but through how life is lived when the sun sets.

This week marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.