The 44th edition of the International Tourism Fair concludes its three days exclusively dedicated to professionals, surpassing its forecast of 150,000 attendees with a total of 153,000 visitors. This is reflected in the initial attendance data at the IFEMA MADRID Exhibition Center, indicating the complete recovery of the tourism sector. These figures represent a 12% increase compared to 2022.
It is estimated that this influx of visitors to FITUR will generate approximately 430 million euros in revenue for the Madrid economy.
FITUR receives institutional support with official visits from all five continents
As in every edition, in addition to the support of the tourism sector, FITUR has received strong institutional backing. After the official inauguration presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain on the first day, the Fair has had significant presences such as Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, which is this year’s Partner Country of the International Tourism Fair. Additionally, it has received the official visit of the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, representatives from the World Tourism Organization, the Ibero-American General Secretary, and more than ten regional presidents of Spain. In total, the 44th edition of FITUR has recorded the attendance of nearly 400 authorities, including State Secretaries, Tourism Ministers, ambassadors, business envoys, mayors from different regions, and other political and institutional representatives.
Media coverage and social media impact of FITUR 2024
The fair’s growth and impact have been reflected in the extensive media coverage, with nearly 23,000 articles published in national and international media. In total, FITUR has accredited about 6,800 journalists (10% international from 53 countries).
Moreover, in the social media sphere, during the first two days of FITUR, there has been a growth of 7,144 followers on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram, reaching a total community of 307,883 followers. The more than 520 posts published have reached around 3.5 million impressions and 50,000 interactions. FITUR has been a Trending Topic on the X social network throughout the three professional days of the fair and has reached the third position in Spain.
Finally, it is noteworthy that FITUR has generated a high volume of web traffic with 680,000 visits during these days.
FITUR opens its doors to the public over the weekend
After the three professional days focused on business, the Fair opens its doors to the public over the weekend, with an estimated attendance of 100,000 visitors. They will have the opportunity to explore the world through the 9 pavilions, gather information on a diverse range of international and national destinations with the participation of 152 countries and 96 official participations, and enjoy a varied agenda of recreational activities prepared by exhibitors. Highlights include the installation of a zip line on the central avenue of IFEMA MADRID by Puerto Rico, the FITUR Cruises treasure hunt, paddle tennis exhibitions in the sports tourism section, as well as musical performances, regional dances, gastronomic tastings, craft workshops, contests, and giveaways, etc.
