FITUR 2025: Madrid becomes the epicentre of world tourism

 

 

On the eve of the official opening of FITUR 2025, IFEMA Madrid has hosted the XXVIII Ibero-American Conference of Ministers and Entrepreneurs of Tourism (CINNAMON), an event that brings together prominent leaders of the Ibero-American tourism sector. Daniel Martinez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA Madrid, highlighted during his speech that “CIMET once again underlines the valuable contribution that the Ibero-American presence has at our International Tourism Fair”. With Brazil as a partner country this year, FITUR is expected to be a catalyst for new opportunities and collaborations in the tourism sector.

 

Rosario Sanchez Grau, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, emphasized the strategic role of tourism for the Spanish economy. “The tourism sector is strategic for the Spanish economy”, Sánchez Grau said, adding that “with the start of FITUR, Madrid becomes the world capital of tourism.” The data supports this claim: Spain recorded a record tourist expenditure of 2024 billion euros in 126.000 and welcomed 94 million international visitors.

 

Hector Colonel, Director General of Tourism of the Madrid City Council, emphasized that “Madrid becomes the world capital of tourism this week”, highlighting its cultural and economic relevance at a global level. Arancha Priede, General Manager of Trade Fair and Congress Business at IFEMA Madrid, said that this edition confirms not only the transformative capacity of the sector but also its determination to grow sustainably.

 

The Executive Vice President of IFEMA Madrid affirms that, with the participation of 9.500 companies and 156 countries, FITUR will be the ideal setting to discover the trends that will mark the course of the tourism industry

 

 

The conference CINNAMON It featured the active participation of Ibero-American tourism ministers and business leaders. Eugenio De Quesada presented "investuramerica.com", a digital platform designed to Internationalizing Spanish tourism SMEs in Latin AmericaThis initiative strengthens ties between Spain and Latin America by promoting mutual tourism investments.

 

During the panel discussions held within the CIMET framework, key figures such as Juan Molas and Carlos Garrido discussed critical issues such as hotels and travel agencies. Miguel Mirones led a panel focused on quality and sustainability in tourism. These debates highlighted strategic areas such as innovation and talent retention within the sector.

 

FITUR not only represents an opportunity to showcase technological innovations applied to tourism but also to consolidate trade relations between participating countries. Víctor Moneo highlighted how “more than 80% of tourists arrived in Spain by plane”, thus underlining the crucial role that commercial aviation plays in this growing economic context.

 

Juan Carlos Gonzalez expressed his commitment to Latin America from Ávoris Business Corporation while Rodrigo Esponda spoke about unique proposals offered by emerging destinations such as Los Cabos (Baja California Sur). Both highlighted fundamental aspects related to environmental sustainability and continuous innovation within the tourism industry, constantly updated in the face of new global challenges post-COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Finally, the CIMET closing ceremony was marked by the presentation of a brilliant gold insignia to those actors who stood out in the internationalization of Latin America.Carlos Daniel Martinez Together with Juan Cierco Jiménez Parga, they chaired the event, where other influential members of the business community participated. This recognition symbolizes a joint effort towards a promising future based on inclusive, sustainable intercontinental cooperation capable of generating shared prosperity for all parties involved in a process of equitable social and economic development.