The Diplomat
The King and Queen attended the inauguration of Fitur 2026 on Thursday, January 22nd. The event was marked by the official mourning decreed by the Government following the train accident last Sunday in Adamuz (Córdoba), which claimed the lives of 43 people.
According to the Royal Household, the official mourning “affected the development of the event, which was held in a more subdued manner and exceptionally took place on the second day of the fair.” During their tour of the fair, the King and Queen visited the Andalusia stand, where they signed the book of condolences. “By visiting the Andalusia pavilion at the 46th edition of FITUR, we wish to express, in the book of signatures, our shared sorrow with all Spaniards and visitors to the fair regarding the train tragedy that occurred in Adamuz, Córdoba. With all our affection,” they wrote.
Fitur 2026, the most influential international tourism fair in the sector, takes place over five days and brings together tourism professionals, those interested in the latest industry trends, and the general public interested in learning about the destinations on offer, who can visit the fair during the weekend. The 2026 edition features Mexico as a partner country.
The 46th edition of Fitur boasts the participation of 10,000 companies from 161 countries, 111 of them with official representation, and 967 main exhibitors distributed across nine pavilions. Among the main new features of this edition are the Knowledge Pavilion, with more than 190 companies and over 200 sessions focused on innovation, training, and industry trends, as well as FITUR Experience and the celebration of the 1st International Summit on Communication and Tourism.
The new edition of the fair incorporates 18 new countries, primarily from Africa and Asia-Pacific, regions that, according to UN Tourism, led global growth, with increases of 10% and 8% in arrivals, respectively, and increases of 34% and 22% in exhibition space at FITUR. Among the new participating destinations are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Zanzibar, and regions of Germany and the United Kingdom, among others.
In addition to the King and Queen, those participating in the opening ceremony included the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nowais; the Executive Vice President of IFEMA Madrid, Daniel Martínez; the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora; and the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
Also in attendance were the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda; and the President of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, Gonzalo Capellán. The president of the Region of Murcia, Fernando López Miras; the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; the president of the Chartered Community of Navarre, María Victoria Chivite; the acting president of the Regional Government of Extremadura, María Guardiola; the president of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens; and the president of the City of Melilla, Juan José Imbroda.
During their visit, King Felipe and Queen Letizia toured the Turespaña stand, where they were received by the Secretary of State for Tourism and the Director General of the agency, Miguel Ángel Sanz, and greeted the tourism ministers of the participating Autonomous Communities. Afterwards, they visited the stands of the Community and City of Madrid, and those of the Canary Islands, the Basque Country, Navarre, and Extremadura. They also held meetings with the Ibero-American Secretary General, Andrés Allamand, with international tourism ministers and deputy ministers, with the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González Colón, and with the Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miguel Romero.
After visiting the stands of Italy and Portugal, the King and Queen went to the Mexican stand, where they were received by the Secretary of Tourism, the Mexican Ambassador to Spain, and a broad representation of federal, state, and indigenous communities.
“Mexico has an innovative, immersive, and interactive space where they present their tourist regions, the Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), and a diverse offering that ranges from established destinations, such as its 35 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List or emblematic celebrations like the Day of the Dead and the Veracruz Carnival, to hidden gems waiting to be discovered,” stated the Royal Household.
