The 2024 International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Spain to be Held in January Next Year, World-Leading, Larger Scale

The 44th International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) will be held from January 24 to 28, 2024 at IFEMA MADRID. According to María Valcarce, Director of FITUR, the outlook for FITUR 2024 is very bright. The exhibition area is expected to expand to 9 pavilions, covering over 140,000 square meters. More than 9,000 companies from 145 countries and 150,000 professional visitors from the global tourism industry will attend the fair. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 visitors will come to the fair on the weekend of FITUR 2024. These figures fully demonstrate that the scale of FITUR 2024 will reach a new high compared to the previous international tourism exhibition.

José Vicente de los Mozos, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, stated: "IFEMA MADRID plays a very important role as one of the main participants and promoters of international tourism, and FITUR has special significance. Not only has it become the most important global ambassador for IFEMA MADRID, but it is also a key reference point for the Spain brand." He added, "We are extremely proud of FITUR's world leadership. It is the only tourism fair that has been held uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in terms of participation, it surpasses all other major international events."

According to data provided by Turespaña, in the first half of 2023, the number of Chinese tourists to Spain surged by 420%, and their spending skyrocketed by 592%. China led growth and spending among the three East Asian countries. The resumption of direct flights to Madrid from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hong Kong, and Hangzhou, as well as direct flights to Barcelona from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, along with increased flight frequencies, have all contributed to the growth in the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Spain. FITUR is a strategic platform to leverage this boom, offering tourism service providers an excellent opportunity to connect with the growing influx of Chinese tourists, thereby consolidating Spain's tourism position in the Chinese market and promoting successful connections and cooperation between tourism operators in Spain and China.

Ecuador will be the Partner Country for FITUR 2024.

Ecuador has proposed to IFEMA MADRID to participate as the "Partner Country of FITUR 2024." Ecuador's Minister of Tourism, Niels Olsen, said: "FITUR 2024 offers a golden opportunity to show the world all the wonders of Ecuador." He also added, "Our commitment is to the Ecuadorian families who live from tourism, to our natural and cultural wealth, and of course to all our visitors."