FITUR 2025, the International Tourism Fair, opens its doors from January 22 to 26 at IFEMA Madrid. This event, a benchmark in the global tourism sector, offers a unique experience for both professionals and the general public. Below, we share our experience and useful tips for your visit.
Arrival and Access
We visited the fair on opening day, January 22. We arrived at Chamartín station at 9:30 and chose UBER to reach IFEMA. It’s important to note that on the first day, access points are usually congested – in our case, it took over 30 minutes to arrive and another 40 minutes to enter the venue due to security checks.
It’s worth mentioning that the opening day attracts numerous personalities, including political figures and King of Spain Felipe VI, which increases security measures both at the entrances and within the venue.
Cruise Pavilion
Pavilion 4, dedicated to the cruise sector, houses a wide variety of exhibitors and a conference area. Among the cruise lines and companies present are:
- Costa Cruises
- Baluma Cruises, representing Celebrity Cruises and Azamara
- NCL Holding, with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas
- Emerald Spanic, representing Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises
- Shore2Shore, specializing in Spanish-language excursions and tours
Our Experience
The attention at the stands was excellent, with friendly staff willing to provide information and brochures. Although we noticed that the main focus is on travel agencies, the exhibitors are prepared to redirect you to the appropriate department person who can provide you with the information you’re looking for.
We attended two informative conferences in person:
- Crossroads Ports: Cruise Destinations Between Welcome and Challenge (Frank Babinger, professor at the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism UCM)
- The Most Complete Holiday Option (Costa Cruises)
If the conferences don’t match your schedule, FITUR offers the option to view them later through their YouTube channel.
For meals, we recommend avoiding peak hours. The venue has several dining establishments.
In the afternoon, we explored the Latin America and Caribbean pavilions, where the large spaces of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala stand out. We also visited the Asia pavilion, paying special attention to Japan and Korea, the destination of our next cruise in 2025.
In the Japan area, the well-known chef Alberto Chicote, famous for his Spanish television program “Pesadilla en la Cocina” (Kitchen Nightmares), attended to discuss Japanese cuisine.
In conclusion, FITUR offers an enriching, albeit intense experience. We recommend planning your visit well, as seeing everything in detail in a single day can be exhausting. The large number of visitors can make it difficult to access certain popular stands, especially if you’re looking to contact specific staff members.
