Tag Archives: FITUR

FITUR 2025, taking place from 22 to 26 January, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be highlighting the strong tourism potential between Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where around ten companies will be exhibiting their tourism offers at the trade fair, mainly tour operators and Dubai’s iconic Atlantis Hotel, among others. The recovery of the Persian Gulf has been faster and stronger than that of other markets, with an economy that is growing above the OECD average and with higher spending and disposable income per consumer. Thus, the tourism sector in both territories has significant potential for developing specialised products. Spain experienced a record year for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2023 with unprecedented growth in both the number of travellers and tourism expenditure. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434,000, 33% more than in 2022, with an average stay of 8.6 days. Specifically, visitors from the UAE totalled more than 140,000 and spending grew by 37.8%, with an average spend of 2,668 euros, 26% more than in 2022. According to industry sources, around 200,000 Spanish tourists visit Dubai every year. In 2023, tourists from the Gulf region spent more than 1.138 billion euros in Spain, 64.7% more than in 2022, according to Turespaña estimates based on INE data (Frontur and Egatur). These travellers are considered as “large consumers”, with spending well above their European counterparts. Connectivity with Spain is very good and airlines have increased in all the countries of the Persian Gulf, both in terms of frequency and new routes. In the forecasts for flights from the UAE between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, capacity to Spain has …

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 …

Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain, presented at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) the Digital Covid Certificate of the EU that was agreed between the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. “With the Digital Covid Certificate, Spain will resume all its economic activity safely and we will achieve mobility within the European Union this summer,” Sánchez commented. The president clarified that this is not to be treated as a passport, nor travel document, and it is not a requirement for travel. “It is a mechanism that will facilitate mobility, as well as arrival and passenger transit, and which will be launched as of 01 July,” he specified. The main benefits of the Green Digital Certificate are its simplicity and interoperability for the entire European Union, as well as the fact it is free and universal. By means of a QR code, it will provide information on whether the person traveling is vaccinated, has contracted the disease, or has a negative PCR test result. From 7 June, tourists from non-EU countries not included in the previous list (annexed in Order INT/484/2021 of 19 May, which does not include any country from the GCC) will be able to travel to Spain if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their trip. Paper vaccination certificates issued in Spanish or English will be accepted provided that the vaccine administered is one of those authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or one of those included in the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing. Unvaccinated minors in the same family unit may enter with a negative PCR test (children under 6 years of age do not need to be tested). The vaccination …

Palladium Hotel Group celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has chosen the Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR) to make the most prominent announcement of new president and CEO. Abel Matutes Prats will be the new president and Jesús Sobrino the new CEO of Palladium Hotel Group, Manager and Owner of the hotel brands. Sobrino has until now held the position of Deputy Director General, which will now go to Carmen Matutes Prats. After 50 years of experience in the tourism sector, Grupo Empresas Matutes is reforming its organisational structure to adapt to new times, with the company committed to the separation of real estate management and hotel operation. For his part, Abel Matutes Juan, founder and president of the company since its inception, will maintain the presidency of the holding company Grupo Empresas Matutes to which Palladium Hotel Group belongs. During the presentation of the company’s latest news, the president of Grupo Empresas Matutes, Abel Matutes Juan; the president of Palladium Hotel Group, Abel Matutes Prats; and the CEO of the hotel company, Jesús Sobrino, also presented a positive balance for 2019. It was the year in which Palladium Hotel Group managed a turnover that exceeded 752 million euros, representing a growth of 13 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2020, Palladium Hotel Group will continue to consolidate its expansion strategy with important openings. The first will be Palladium Hotel Menorca, a four-star all-inclusive hotel that will be one of the group’s most ambitious projects in the Spanish market and in which the company will invest 26 million euros for its renovation. Also in the Mediterranean, specifically in the north of the Italian island of Sicily, Palladium …