In the heart of Madrid, in the Crystal Palace of the Casa de Campo, an idea was born that would change the tourism landscape forever: FITUR, the International Tourism Fair. It was January 30, 1981, and that meeting was established as the “global meeting point between tourism professionals.” The presence of King Juan Carlos I as Honorary President marked royal support from its beginnings.
The initial numbers were promising: 1,500 exhibitors, 37 countries and 3,000 professional visitors. In just six years, FITUR doubled its numbers, reaching 3,000 exhibitors and representing 100 countries. These first editions were a strategic success in an era before the globalization of the Internet.
The 1990s brought significant changes. FITUR moved to the newly inaugurated Juan Carlos I Fair Park in 1992, the year of the Barcelona Olympic Games and the Seville Universal Exhibition. The fair continued to evolve with the creation of FITUR Know How in 1995, just when the Internet became popular. In 1996, FITUR took a bold step online, becoming a virtual meeting point for countries around the world.
FITUR not only witnessed history, but also engaged with global events. The fall of the Berlin Wall led to the incorporation of new Eastern European countries in 1990. Later years saw FITUR’s solidarity with countries affected by tragedies, such as the attacks in Africa in 1998 and Hurricane Mitch in 1999.
The 21st century brought with it the adaptation of FITUR to new demands. In 2000, FITUR Congresos was born, focused on the meetings market. Over the years, various specialized areas such as FITUR Health, FITUR Shopping, FITUR Gay LGBT, FITUR Green and FITUR Tech joined the fair, each addressing strategic sectors.
The global economic crisis of 2008 affected tourism, but FITUR showed resilience. In 2009, after several years of growth, the fair faced economic reality. However, in 2010, FITUR turned to Haiti in solidarity, demonstrating its humanitarian commitment.
In recent years, FITUR has reflected the economic recovery. In 2014 and 2015, more than 120,000 professionals and 9,000 companies from 165 countries participated each year. The 2016 edition promised another record with 9,500 companies and nearly 60,000 square meters of exhibition.
FITUR has spent 38 years as a leader in the tourism industry. From its modest beginnings to its current position as one of the most important fairs worldwide, FITUR has evolved, innovated and demonstrated its commitment to international tourism and communities affected by global challenges. Here is FITUR, connecting the world through tourism!