MADRID – Next week, the Fitur tourism trade fair will be back in Madrid to give this sector a positive boost. Nearly 7,000 companies from 70 different countries will show what they have to offer in the field of tourism between January 19 and 26.
Fitur is known as the most important international trade fair for the tourism sector. Like every year, it will take place in the Feria de Madrid (Ifema) congress centre. Traditionally, the first three days are only open to professionals from the sector. Whereas, at weekends, the fair is open to the public.
“Adapted to the pandemic”
The organisation expects to receive 60,000 professionals and another 30,000 other visitors during the weekend. In a press conference, Ifema president José Vicente de los Mozos gave a message of hope; “we have now learned how to live together in times of pandemic and fairs such as Fitur can therefore continue”. According to de los Mozos, the sector has now shown that it can adapt to the given circumstances.
The necessary preventive measures apply to everyone who enters the congress centre. A facemask must be worn and the European QR code must be presented upon entry. This QR code is obtained after completing the Spain Travel Health form. However, for non-vaccinated people, a negative test result of no more than 24 hours old will be required. The organisation is also responsible for good ventilation in the congress building. Furthermore, to prevent large groups of people, tickets with a time slot are used.
2022: the year of tourism
This year, the Dominican Republic is co-organiser of the fair. Dominican Republic Minister David Collado said the past four months were the best ever for tourism in his country. Consequently, it is clear to him 2022 will be the year of recovery for the sector at an international level.
National tourism was crucial
During the pandemic, the tourism industry has managed to survive thanks to national tourism. The Spanish Secretary of State Fernando Valdés of Tourism said that the holidays in his own country have been crucial for Spain. Last but not least, as a result, significantly more overnight stays were booked and more money was spent than in 2020.
Despite the fact that the Berlin International Tourism Fair was canceled last December due to the arrival of the Omicron variant, Fitur’s organisers are optimistic about the future of the sector. They foresee the Madrid stock exchange will kick off a promising main season in 2022 that will even be comparable to that of the record year 2019.
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