FITUR was originally established in Europe as the leading annual meeting point for tourism trade fairs and events. Its acronym derives from the spanish name Feria Internacional del Turismo (International Tourism Fair), and it is a true institution within the sector. Since its first edition held in 1981, FITUR has served as a meeting point for numerous governmental and institutional delegations, as well as the main representatives of the public-private sector, the media, travelers from all over the world, agencies, transportation, gastronomic and accommodation suppliers, among many others.

FITUR has also been the venue for some of the most important decisions regarding tourism. It has been the scene for interesting debates that have led to unparalleled enrichment and progress in the tourism industry. Likewise, it has also served as an opportunity for audiences of all kinds, from domestic or MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) to VIP or GITT (Governmental and Institutional Travel and Tourism), to get to know other destinations, cultures and offers, thanks to the ever-increasing selection of exhibitors at the event.

However, the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, better known as the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, has forced events like FITUR to rethink and reorganize its concept, at least temporarily, with the aim of hosting:

• Professional exhibitors.
• Professional delegations related to the tourism industry and sub-sectors.
• Governmental and institutional delegations that attend FITUR every year.
• General public, subject to limited attendance.

The Executive Committee of IFEMA, unanimously, and with the support of the Government, gave the green light on January 4, 2022 to the celebration of this edition, since until then there were certain doubts, both nationally and internationally, due to the impact of the Omicron variant. 

For this reason, and with the aim of making the event 100% safe, as well as necessary, the number of visitors for the 2022 edition has therefore been reduced, especially with respect to the general public, but also with respect to professionals and delegations attending. The aim is to minimize the risk of contagion by COVID-19, without having to cancel this important annual event for one of the industries most affected by the pandemic.

What is FITUR?

FITUR, the Spanish acronym for "Feria Internacional de Turismo" (International Tourism Trade Fair), has been held annually in the Spanish capital of Madrid since 1981. It is a key event for the tourism industry at the international level, and not only with respect to Europe. Its location in Spain, one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, has attracted hundreds of countries, hundreds of thousands of companies and delegations, and millions of attendees in absolute terms.

FITUR has set the guidelines and directives for tourism as we know it today, analyzing and debating new trends, as well as making decisions involving all industry players.

That's why FITUR has become, on its own merits, a key forum where not only countries present their tourism offerings, but also where hundreds of agreements and projects are closed in a few days in the public-private sector, which is now more essential than ever in the recovery and projection of tourism.

FITUR has highlighted one of the most important industries in the world, on which a multitude of sectors depend, beyond the areas of airlines, ground transportation, lodging, restaurants and travel agencies.

Likewise, each year there is a country or destination of special relevance that is designated as a FITUR Partner. At this year's edition, the Dominican Republic will be the protagonist; a regional and international tourism powerhouse.

When is FITUR 2022?

FITUR 2022 will be held from January 19 to 23 at IFEMA. Although this edition has certain limitations with respect to the previous one, due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the event organizers have arranged the following schedule:

• Professionals, from January 19 to 21, with schedule from 10:00h to 19:00h (GMT+1).
• Professional and public, January 22, from 10:00h to 20:00h (GMT+1).
• Professional and public, January 23, from 10:00h to 18:00h (GMT+1).

Where does FITUR take place? 

FITUR is being held at IFEMA (Institución Ferial de Madrid), one of the largest venues in Europe for this type of event, with more than 200,000 m2 and decades of experience. Specifically, the event will take place in pavilions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Located in the northeast of Madrid, in the Campo de las Naciones area, its connections are ideal for this type of event attended by a large number of delegations. Nearby, just a few kilometers away, is the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport, as well as the M-40 urban freeway and the M-11 intercity highway, options that provide easy access to the IFEMA site. Similarly, the IFEMA complex is located in the city of Madrid, with the Hortaleza neighborhood right next door, through which you can reach the different points of interest of the capital in a matter of minutes.

For IFEMA, moreover, FITUR is the most important annual event it hosts, which is why the organization has always prepared the event with great care and attention to detail. In fact, more than 14,000 exclusive IFEMA parking spaces are made available to attendees, as well as numerous services that, in this 2021 edition, are focused on minimizing the risk of contagion.

IFEMA is not only attended by tourism industry professionals -and in previous editions, visitors-, but also by governmental and institutional delegations, so the space is not only available for the proper reception of authorities, but also has all the necessary security measures in this regard.

What will FITUR 2022 be like?

The pandemic caused by COVID-19, which has had a very high impact, for all intents and purposes, during 2020 and part of 2021, has temporarily transformed the world as we know it. Tourism has not been exempted from this transformation, and has suffered a major impact from which it is gradually recovering. 

This impact suffered by all the agents involved in tourism, from the service suppliers themselves, to destinations, institutions, event organizers, regions, countries, etc., has once again led FITUR to adapt accordingly to the circumstances. The decision to go ahead with the event, as was the case at the last edition, will serve as an example when it comes to organizing events of this magnitude while maintaining all the necessary measures to minimize and avoid COVID-19 contagion.

2022 is a key year for tourism and for FITUR. It is the year in which a new type of tourism takes shape, in keeping with the context that practically the entire world is going through. Likewise, it is also a key year, because in addition to the challenge of the pandemic, there is the challenge of committing to more sustainable tourism, in line with the precepts established in the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) and the recent Glasgow Declaration promoted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

FITUR 2022 is undoubtedly taking place at a key turning point on an international scale. For this reason, unlike other years, the event's organizers have made certain modifications to ensure that the event can be carried out without incident, safely and with guarantees for all participants. 

Thus, the organization opted for:

• FITUR LIVEConnect: a digital platform that works as a complement to the event, allowing attendees to connect, meet and exchange information completely online.
• ePass: for this 2022 edition, has once again opted to avoid long lines to access the venue (IFEMA), so attendees must previously purchase their pass -ticket or professional accreditation-, and download it to their smartphone or tablet, for contactless access. There is the possibility of carrying it printed, but from the organization they encourage the whole process to be done digitally, betting on zero contact and sustainability.
• Access to the venue: IFEMA has been a key place in the fight against the coronavirus in Madrid and, as such, has become an icon in itself in this regard. To its status as a fairground has now been added that of being configured as a completely safe space. For this reason: 

• The pass or ticket is purchased exclusively online and prior to accessing the venue.
• Attendees from European Union countries must show the European digital COVID Certificate.
• Attendees from non-EU countries must show the Spain Travel Health QR code, which must be requested in advance.
• Valveless masks must be worn at all times inside the facilities.
• Body temperature controls will be carried out.
• Capacity control will be used in all pavilions through automated counting of attendees, in order to avoid overcrowding. 
• It is mandatory, at all times, to comply with the minimum safety distance established by the organization in accordance with the recommendations of the health authorities. 
• There will be a queue management system and access control to exhibitors or other rooms on the site.
• A system of signage will be established on the floor and areas, similar to that of other events held to date.

• FITUR LIVEConnects, a FITUR app, through which attendees can intuitively access information related to the event, such as instant reports, notices of virtual or live events, contact network, etc.
• Air quality. One of the great challenges faced by this type of event, especially in situations such as the current one caused by COVID-19, is everything related to air quality. To achieve a completely safe space in this respect, and in accordance with the guidelines of the health authorities, IFEMA and FITUR have set up a system that establishes excess ventilation, a filtration system and the complete elimination of air recirculation.
• Exclusive safety protocols in catering, through a wide deployment of spaces located, for the most part, outside the venue.

What measures must I comply with within IFEMA?

Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the organization of IFEMA and FITUR, together with the Government of Spain and the Community of Madrid, have established a series of mandatory measures that attendees must carry out inside the venue at all times.

Similarly, although the omicron variant has caused an increase in less serious infections on a global scale, the Department of Public Health and Environment of the World Health Organization assures that the celebration of FITUR 2022 will coincide precisely with the decrease in COVID-19 infections in Spain and the rest of Europe. 

The measures established by the organization are endorsed by health authorities at the local, regional, national and international levels and, in fact, have already proven to be more than effective at other events that have been held since the beginning of the pandemic. Accordingly, those attending FITUR 2022, regardless of their role at the event, will take into account and should:

• Have some of the following certificates:
  • Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 from the European Union.
  • Spain Travel Health Certificate for visitors from non-European Union countries.
  • Certificate of diagnosis of the assistant.
  • Certificate of recovery of the assistant.
• High risk countries or zones according to the Spanish Ministry of Health:
  • Certificate of vaccination or recovery and certificate of diagnosis. 
• The certificates must be written in Spanish, English, French or German. If this is not possible, these certificates must be translated into Spanish by an official body.
• Respect at all times the indications and recommendations indicated on the screens, signage and IFEMA staff.
• At all times, wear a non-valved mask inside the venue.
• Maintain a minimum safety distance of 1.5m (meters) between people.
• Access the public service booths using the protective methacrylate screens.
• Respect the maximum capacity. This limit is subject to change during the course of the event, so attendees should pay special attention to the information provided by IFEMA staff during the event.
• Correct and frequent hand hygiene at all times, avoiding contact with other participants. For this purpose, the organization will provide disinfectant gels, as well as the continuous cleaning of doors, chairs, knobs, handles, counters, toilets, etc. 
• It is also recommended for attendees to have their own disinfectants, and to be especially careful with respect to the established hygiene measures.
• Attendees must follow, at all times, the established itineraries, as well as the indications of the event staff, in order to avoid crowds or situations in which possible contagions may occur.
• Regarding the toilets, the established capacity rules must be respected, always maintaining the minimum safety distance between people.
• Priority should be given to payment by card or other digital means, avoiding cash and, therefore, physical contact and the recirculation of coins and bills. However, there will be ATMs and vending machines that will be disinfected, on a recurring basis, by the event organizers.
• The distribution or recirculation of informative brochures or other items available in the exhibitors must be avoided. These must always be distributed at the request of the applicant, and always respecting hygiene measures and safety distances.
• Waste, such as papers, tissues, brochures, bottles, etc., must be deposited in the garbage cans provided for this purpose.
• Exhibitors offering catering or tasting services must have specific catering for this purpose. Likewise, those attending such exhibitors or services must at all times keep the aforementioned minimum safety and hygienic distance.
• When attending conferences, forums or other meeting places within IFEMA, the organization will arrange the seats in advance, disabling chairs, armchairs, armchairs or other locations in order to maintain the minimum safety distance between attendees.
• Event organizers, exhibitors and other public-private sector agents actively participating in FITUR 2022 have previously undertaken to carry out and respect all the measures established by the organizers.
• The measures may be modified at any time during the event, depending on needs.
• Finally, visitors should bear in mind that the organization reserves the right to refuse admission and even expel them from the event if they do not comply with the measures established.

How to get to IFEMA?

The IFEMA complex, where FITUR 2022 is being held, is perfectly connected to the rest of the city of Madrid. Just a few kilometers from the fairgrounds is the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport, one of the most important in the world, with connections to more than 80 countries and multiple destinations within them.

Likewise, from the airport itself, it is possible to connect with the rest of the city thanks to:

• Subway station.
• Bus station.
• Specific cab stops.
• Private transportation.

Regardless of all this, given that many visitors and many delegations choose to use their own means of transport or their own routes within Madrid, the easiest and most recommended accesses by the organization are the following:

• Automobiles: 
  • M-11, exits 5 and 7.
  • M-40, exits 5, 6 and 7.
  • A-2, exit 7.

• Subway:
  • Feria de Madrid Station, line 8, which connects directly to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. And, in turn, with any point in the city of Madrid.

• By bus:
  • Line 73.
  • Line 112.
  • Bus 122.
  • Line 828.

• Cabs:
  • There are cab ranks at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, as well as at the Madrid-Atocha and Madrid-Chamartín train stations.
  • At IFEMA, there are three cab ranks, located at the South, North and East gates.