FITUR 2026: Innovation and Knowledge at the Forefront

FITUR is gearing up for a standout 2026 edition, reinforcing its role as a global benchmark for the tourism industry and placing a renewed emphasis on knowledge, innovation, and sustainability. The International Tourism Trade Fair will take place from January 21 to 25, 2026, at IFEMA MADRID, once again inaugurating the international tourism calendar.

The event arrives at a particularly positive moment for the sector. According to the latest data from UN Tourism, international travel continues its strong recovery, with global arrivals rising by 5% through September 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1.1 billion tourists worldwide. Against this backdrop, FITUR 2026 is expected to attract strong participation and deliver high-value content for industry professionals.

Official Opening on January 22

The 46th edition of FITUR will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, January 22, during the second professional day of the fair. This milestone will once again confirm FITUR’s position as a key international meeting point for all stakeholders across the tourism value chain, from public institutions to private enterprises.

Commitment to Sustainable Mobility

As part of its environmental responsibility strategy, FITUR 2026 continues to promote sustainable mobility. Visitors and exhibitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, taking advantage of IFEMA MADRID’s extensive connectivity via metro, buses, and other collective transport options. This approach supports more efficient movement while helping to reduce the event’s overall carbon footprint.

The Knowledge Pavilion: A New Hub for Ideas and Innovation

One of the most significant additions to FITUR 2026 is the launch of the Knowledge Pavilion, located in Hall 12. Open during the professional days—January 21 to 23—this new space is designed to become the central hub for discussion, learning, and innovation. The pavilion will host forward-looking conversations on how tourism is evolving toward a more digital, responsible, and resilient industry.

Reflecting the sector’s growing focus on technology, the travel technology area will expand by 50%, bringing together cutting-edge solutions from more than 150 companies representing over 20 countries. Alongside the exhibition area, the Knowledge Pavilion will feature conferences, forums, and professional encounters organized under key FITUR initiatives such as FITUR TechY, FITUR Know-How & Export, FITUR Sports, FITUR Talent, and the FITURNEXT Observatory.

A Complete Showcase of the Tourism Industry

With one month remaining before its opening, FITUR 2026 confirms participation from more than 10,000 companies, ensuring representation from the entire tourism ecosystem. Destinations, government bodies, transport operators, accommodation providers, intermediaries, technology firms, and specialized service companies will all be present, highlighting FITUR’s strategic importance as a platform for business development, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

This diversity enables the fair to address the sector’s major challenges and opportunities from a holistic perspective, encouraging a tourism model that is more competitive, sustainable, and innovative on a global scale.

FITUR Opens to the Public

During the final weekend—Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25—FITUR will open its doors to the general public, transforming the fair into a celebration of travel and connecting destinations and tourism brands directly with travelers.

With a strong strategic vision and a renewed focus on innovation and knowledge, FITUR 2026 is poised to be a flagship edition, once again positioning Madrid at the heart of global tourism and reaffirming the fair’s leadership as a meeting point for business, ideas, and the future of the industry.

Visit https://www.ifema.es/en/fitur for more details.