Initial forecasts for the evolution of tourism in 2010 are optimistic; in fact, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is expecting growth of between 3% and 4% by year end. These expectations are backed by the results obtained during the first two months of the year, in which international tourism arrivals grew by 7% worldwide, in addition to the 2% already recorded in the last quarter of 2009.
This upward trend will probably be reflected in the next edition of FITUR, which has been scheduled to take place from 19 to 23 January 2011. The five-day trade fair organised by IFEMA brings together the main representatives of the tourism sector in a single venue, a fact which has allowed the trade fair to become an international industry benchmark and an event that trade professionals schedule in their diaries year after year.
After the excellent results achieved at the last edition of FITUR, the next edition will once again include forums such as FITUR GREEN which, organised in conjunction with the UNWTO and sponsored by the Madrid Tourist Board, seek to encourage the sector’s sustainability and energy efficiency. The UNWTO will once again be involved in the organisation of INVESTOUR, an initiative to strengthen tourism as a driving factor for development in Africa. In 2011 it will also feature participation by member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). INBOUND SPAIN will also be on the agenda in 2011, attracting companies and destinations in this sphere.
Another proposal for 2011 which is awakening growing interest among trade professionals is the fifth edition of FITURTECH, a series of workshops on innovation in tourism sponsored by the trade fair in collaboration with the Hotel Technology Institute (Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero, ITH).
TEN HALLS WHERE EVERTHING IS ON OFFER
The trade fair will be laid out in the same way as the 2010 edition: distributed over ten halls in the central area of the Feria de Madrid trade fair centre. Hall 1 will be reserved exclusively for visitor registration, while all the other odd-numbered halls (3, 5, 7 and 9) will house products and projects from Spanish official organisations. International exhibitors will be accommodated in even-numbered halls. Stands featuring Asia and the Pacific will be located in Hall 2, America and Africa will be found in Hall 4, while Halls 6 and 8 will contain the European area. Another section of Halls 8 and also 10 will accommodate companies’ proposals. FITUR CONGRESOS will occupy hall 14.1.
FITUR’s commitment to the sector, which takes the current economic situation into account, has led the event organisation to freeze the prices for participation for the second year running. In addition to this, a discount of 10% will be available on stand rental and “turn-key” modular stands, provided that the exhibitor settles the full cost of participation by 20 September. A further 10% discount is available to all services booked online at the Exhibitors’ Area at www.fituronline.com.
In the meantime, at the next edition of FITUR, the trade fair will be strengthening the activities it started in 2010 with the inclusion in social networks such as Facebook and YouTube. The idea behind these activities is to smooth the flow of communication with trade fair professionals and the visiting public, learning their opinions, interests and expectations with regard to the Trade Fair first hand, and creating yet another channel for sharing the news about everything that’s happening at FITUR.
The 2011 edition of FITUR will be open to trade professionals only on Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 January, all day from 10.00 to 19.00 hrs. On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, FITUR will open its doors to the public and will stay open until 20.00 hrs.
