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The International Tourism Trade Fair has once again confirmed its role as a key driver of Madrid's economy, generating an economic impact of €505 million and reaffirming its strong convening power with more than 255.000 attendees.
MADRID, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), organised by IFEMA MADRID, has closed with a positive outcome, once again demonstrating its strong convening power after welcoming just over 255,000 visitors across its five-day program.
Attendance during the professional days remained in line with the previous edition at 155,000 visitors, supported by a 12% increase in international attendance, broadly matching the 11% growth in international exhibitors. Weekend public attendance was also consolidated at around 100,000 travellers.
These results consolidate FITUR's outstanding participation figures, with more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries, including 111 countries with official representation, and 967 main exhibitors. The economic impact of FITUR 2026 on Madrid reached €505 million, while supporting the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, confirming the fair's position as one of the region's most significant international events of the year and a key contributor to economic and tourism activity.
FITUR thus opens 2026 by confirming the strong momentum of the global tourism sector. This favourable context is reflected in 2025 figures, a year in which, according to UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion, while Spain welcomed 97 million international tourists, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
The 46th edition opened on Wednesday 21 January with a minute of silence, reflecting the tourism sector's solidarity with the victims of recent railway accidents. The gesture was echoed during the official opening on Thursday 22 January, when Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain signed the book of condolences at the Andalucía stand.
Institutional backing and sector confidence
FITUR 2026's institutional relevance was underscored by the official inauguration presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, as well as more than 70 institutional visits by regional presidents, ministers and deputy ministers of tourism from around the world, alongside senior tourism authorities. These visits highlighted FITUR's strategic role as a global forum for dialogue, cooperation and international projection for the tourism sector.
FITUR: a commitment to knowledge and a more future-focused offer
The strong attendance translated into intense activity across the nine exhibition halls, where destinations, companies and institutions from around the world showcased new products, strategies and projects. During the professional days, the Knowledge Hub emerged as one of the fair's central pillars, featuring eight auditoriums, ten conference programs, more than 200 sessions and over 250 speakers.
In parallel, FITUR's specialized sections enriched and diversified the fair's overall offering. FITUR 4all advanced the agenda for accessible and inclusive tourism; FITUR Cruises strengthened the profile of sustainable blue tourism; and the launch of FITUR Experience, together with FITUR Lingua and FITUR LGTB+, energized segments with strong growth potential. Meanwhile, FITUR Screen, Sports, Talent and TechY promoted the intersection of tourism with culture, sport, talent and technology; FITUR Woman highlighted female leadership in tourism; and FITUR Know-How & Export showcased the international expertise of Spanish companies.
With this outcome, and a strong and wide-ranging showcase by Mexico as Partner Country, FITUR 2026 has reaffirmed its global leadership in terms of participation and visitor numbers, its relevance for professionals in generating business opportunities and partnerships, and its contribution to strengthening tourism as an economic and social driver, as well as to the development of a more diverse, competitive and future-focused tourism offer.
IFEMA MADRID is already working on FITUR 2027, which will take place from 20 to 24 January, with Puerto Rico as Partner Country.
Photo gallery HERE
About FITUR
FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair, is one of the leading global events in the tourism industry and has been held in Madrid since 1981. Each year, it brings together industry professionals, companies, destinations, and international organizations to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities. Organized by IFEMA MADRID, FITUR has established itself as a global benchmark for driving and promoting tourism.
Alejandra Elorza
FITUR Press Officer
Tel.: +34 629 64 49 68
aelorza@ifema.es
Helena Valera
International Press
Tel.: +34 629 64 42 08
evalera@ifema.es
Lucas Farioli
International Press
Tel.: +34 678 64 92 12
lfarioli@ifema.es
The International Tourism Trade Fair has once again confirmed its role as a key driver of Madrid's economy, generating an economic impact of €505 million and reaffirming its strong convening power with more than 255.000 attendees.
MADRID, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), organised by IFEMA MADRID, has closed with a positive outcome, once again demonstrating its strong convening power after welcoming just over 255,000 visitors across its five-day program.
Attendance during the professional days remained in line with the previous edition at 155,000 visitors, supported by a 12% increase in international attendance, broadly matching the 11% growth in international exhibitors. Weekend public attendance was also consolidated at around 100,000 travellers.
These results consolidate FITUR's outstanding participation figures, with more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries, including 111 countries with official representation, and 967 main exhibitors. The economic impact of FITUR 2026 on Madrid reached €505 million, while supporting the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, confirming the fair's position as one of the region's most significant international events of the year and a key contributor to economic and tourism activity.
FITUR thus opens 2026 by confirming the strong momentum of the global tourism sector. This favourable context is reflected in 2025 figures, a year in which, according to UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion, while Spain welcomed 97 million international tourists, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
The 46th edition opened on Wednesday 21 January with a minute of silence, reflecting the tourism sector's solidarity with the victims of recent railway accidents. The gesture was echoed during the official opening on Thursday 22 January, when Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain signed the book of condolences at the Andalucía stand.
Institutional backing and sector confidence
FITUR 2026's institutional relevance was underscored by the official inauguration presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, as well as more than 70 institutional visits by regional presidents, ministers and deputy ministers of tourism from around the world, alongside senior tourism authorities. These visits highlighted FITUR's strategic role as a global forum for dialogue, cooperation and international projection for the tourism sector.
FITUR: a commitment to knowledge and a more future-focused offer
The strong attendance translated into intense activity across the nine exhibition halls, where destinations, companies and institutions from around the world showcased new products, strategies and projects. During the professional days, the Knowledge Hub emerged as one of the fair's central pillars, featuring eight auditoriums, ten conference programs, more than 200 sessions and over 250 speakers.
In parallel, FITUR's specialized sections enriched and diversified the fair's overall offering. FITUR 4all advanced the agenda for accessible and inclusive tourism; FITUR Cruises strengthened the profile of sustainable blue tourism; and the launch of FITUR Experience, together with FITUR Lingua and FITUR LGTB+, energized segments with strong growth potential. Meanwhile, FITUR Screen, Sports, Talent and TechY promoted the intersection of tourism with culture, sport, talent and technology; FITUR Woman highlighted female leadership in tourism; and FITUR Know-How & Export showcased the international expertise of Spanish companies.
With this outcome, and a strong and wide-ranging showcase by Mexico as Partner Country, FITUR 2026 has reaffirmed its global leadership in terms of participation and visitor numbers, its relevance for professionals in generating business opportunities and partnerships, and its contribution to strengthening tourism as an economic and social driver, as well as to the development of a more diverse, competitive and future-focused tourism offer.
IFEMA MADRID is already working on FITUR 2027, which will take place from 20 to 24 January, with Puerto Rico as Partner Country.
Photo gallery HERE
About FITUR
FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair, is one of the leading global events in the tourism industry and has been held in Madrid since 1981. Each year, it brings together industry professionals, companies, destinations, and international organizations to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities. Organized by IFEMA MADRID, FITUR has established itself as a global benchmark for driving and promoting tourism.
Alejandra Elorza
FITUR Press Officer
Tel.: +34 629 64 49 68
aelorza@ifema.es
Helena Valera
International Press
Tel.: +34 629 64 42 08
evalera@ifema.es
Lucas Farioli
International Press
Tel.: +34 678 64 92 12
lfarioli@ifema.es
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
FITUR 2026 reinforces its leadership as a driver of global tourism
BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Fashion Week has risen to the fourth place globally, overtaking New York, according to a report released Thursday in Shanghai. The Global Fashion Industry Index-Fashion Week Vitality Index Report (2025), issued by China Economic Information Service, describes Shanghai as the fastest-growing node city in the global fashion landscape.
Paris and Milan fashion weeks retained the top two positions globally. London and Shanghai ranked third and fourth, with commercial vibrancy and digital transformation cited as their core competitiveness.
For the first time, the report added a "commercial trade activity" indicator to quantify each fashion week's ability to integrate commercial resources and convert them into market transactions. Shanghai Fashion Week recorded 1,217 trade brands, second only to Paris, and operated seven digital trade platforms which is the highest figure among all eight fashion weeks surveyed.
The report noted persistent gaps. Shanghai Fashion Week's 23 product categories and average transaction price of 420 U.S. dollars represent only 64 percent and 54 percent of Paris Fashion Week's figures respectively, reflecting a market still dominated by mid-range and emerging brands but with significant growth potential.
In the elements aggregation dimension, Paris and Milan led with 429 and 387 participating brands and 544 and 529 events respectively, while Shanghai hosted around 200 events and distinguished itself through new brand participation. In industry influence, Shanghai ranked first globally in the number of designers, and its innovation trend score also placed near the top.
China's apparel and fashion retail market reached nearly 460 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, maintaining its position as the world's largest single market. Global fashion e-commerce penetration rate rose from 18 percent in 2020 to approximately 36 percent in 2025, surpassing 45 percent in emerging markets.
On sustainability, approximately 72 percent of global consumers said they were willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, with most accepting a markup of 5 to 10 percent. The report devoted a dedicated chapter to artificial intelligence, noting that 58 to 60 percent of global fashion retailers have integrated AI into operations and marketing.
The report concluded that Shanghai Fashion Week is at a critical transition from scale expansion to capability upgrading, and should deepen integration of local culture, contemporary design and haute couture to strengthen its role as a commercial hub connecting design with consumption.
Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350009.html
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Xinhua Silk Road: Shanghai Fashion Week ranks 4th in latest vitality index report
