Category Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, delivered a clear message to global leaders: tourism must be led as economic infrastructure if it is to drive growth, resilience, and human connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

The 46th edition of the International Tourism Fair ends its first three days, dedicated exclusively to the industry professionals, with a positive balance that reflects an excellent year for tourism and forecasts continued growth in 2026.

After three business-focused professional days, FITUR opens its doors to travellers over the weekend, who will be able to explore a wide range of destinations thanks to the participation of 161 countries, 111 of them with official representation, as well as enjoy a varied programme of activities organised by exhibitors.

The first International Summit on Communication and Tourism, organized by FITUR and Agencia EFE and held as part of FITUR 2026, took place on Friday with the ambition of becoming “one of the major global milestones as a source of knowledge for professionals in communication and tourism”. This was stated at the opening session by José Vicente de los Mozos, President of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID.

Participants at FITUR 4all highlighted on Friday that Spain recorded a 10% increase in tourists with some form of reduced mobility in 2025, underlining the need to continue working to firmly establish the country as a leading global reference for tourism for all. The specialized FITUR section brought together experts, institutional representatives and business leaders, who emphasized accessibility as a driver of competitiveness, innovation and positive impact within the tourism sector.

This agreement signals a new era for global tourism, officially confirming the relocation of WTTC’s headquarters to Madrid and establishing the city as the world capital for tourism governance.

Participants in the sixth edition of FITUR Lingua, the section organized by FITUR in collaboration with FEDELE (Spanish Federation of Schools of Spanish as a Foreign Language), held today as part of the International Tourism Trade Fair at IFEMA MADRID, unveiled a preview of the findings of FEDELE’s Sector Report. According to the report, a total of 177,576 students of Spanish were enrolled in FEDELE-affiliated centers in Spain in 2025, representing a 12.77% increase compared to 2024. During the event, a range of experts also examined the role of language as a multiplier effect for tourism and as a key factor in the cultural and educational experience of destinations.

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.