FITUR 2026 closes its doors exceeding 255 thousand visitors; DR stronger than ever

SPAIN.- IFEMA MADRID is jubilant. It has closed the doors of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2026) with a positive balance, slightly exceeding 255,000 visitors in its five days. According to the data provided by the organization to De Último Minuto, during the professional days the figures of the last edition of 155,000 visitors were consolidated with a growth of 12% of international visits, in line with the 11% growth of international exhibitors. Likewise, the general public of the weekend was consolidated at 100,000 travelers. "This result reinforces the excellent participation figures, with more than 10,000 companies from 161 countries, of which 111 have participated with official representation, as well as 967 titular exhibitors," details IFEMA MADRID.

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Furthermore, it revealed that the economic impact of FITUR 2026 in Madrid has reached 505 million euros, and the maintenance of 3,753 jobs, confirming its role as one of the most important international events of the year in the region, and its contribution to the revitalization of the national economy and tourism", highlighted the Spanish institution. This way, FITUR opens 2026 confirming the excellent moment the tourism sector is experiencing. A particularly favorable context that is reflected in the 2025 data, a year in which, according to UN Tourism, over 1.5 billion international arrivals were exceeded worldwide. Of this figure, Spain reached 97 million foreign tourists, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism. DR reaffirms leadership in the region
And if we look towards the Dominican Republic, there is another good example. The Caribbean country has achieved impressive growth in tourism in the last five years. In 2025 alone, it attracted more than 11 million tourists. Of this number, 255 thousand were Spanish. Now, it reaffirmed its leadership at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2026), closing with negotiations for more than US$15.67 billion, which is equivalent to about RD$955.87 billion, through the Dominican commercial banking. Separately, Banco de Reservas reached investment agreements for US$6,500 million; Banco Popular achieved agreements for US$6,200 million and Banco BHD for US$2,970. "We concluded an intense day of work aimed at strengthening the diversification of tourism and the geographical expansion of investments, which included more than 60 meetings with key players in the sector. As a result, investment opportunities for more than US$6.5 billion were identified, of which concrete financing expectations exceed US$4.2 billion," detailed the executive president of Banreservas, Dr. Leonardo Aguilera.

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For the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, this "is an extraordinarily impressive number." "Definitely: our participation in FITUR has been a total success," said the minister to representatives of the main commercial banks, the Hotel and Restaurant Association (ASONAHORES), and media outlets from the Dominican Republic. Dominican commercial banks held more than 150 business meetings within the framework of FITUR, where 60 companies participated as co-exhibitors. In total, approximately 1,500 private business meetings were held, which strengthened the value chain and positioned local suppliers as indispensable allies for the success of foreign projects in the country. Minister David Collado announced that these financial operations will guarantee, in the next three years, nearly 10,000 new hotel rooms (excluding real estate and mixed projects), which will increase the annual operational capacity to receive more than 500,000 additional tourists.

A Supportive Sector
The 46th edition of this important event opened its doors on Wednesday, January 21st with a minute of silence, highlighting the tourism sector's solidarity with the victims of the train accidents. The King and Queen of Spain also did the same during the official inauguration on Thursday 22nd by signing the book of condolences located at the Andalusian stand.