María Valcarce Confirms FITUR 2022 Will Be Held in January

The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) will be held from January 19 to 23, 2022, as confirmed Tuesday by the event's director, María Valcarce, in a conversation with Caribbean News Digital editor Jose Carlos de Santiago.

The 2022 edition of FITUR will have levels of representation and internationality very close to the editions held before the pandemic, and much higher than those achieved during Fitur 2021, which was a milestone for being the first major on-site event to be held after the start of the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus, despite having been held outside its traditional date in the calendar of world tourism fairs. 

"In terms of official representations we have 72 countries confirmed at the moment. 15 from Africa, 19 from the Americas, 13 from Asia-Pacific, 21 from Europe and 4 from the Middle East. In addition, we will have international companies from other origins, so we hope to have around 100 countries represented, either officially or through their companies," Ms. Valcarce told Caribbean News Digital.

FITUR is a leading trade fair in the world, making it the perfect scenario for negotiations and meetings between the players in the tourism industry's value chain. Its celebration will contribute to boosting the sector's recovery and growth.

In this regard, María Valcarce told Caribbean News Digital that the presence at FITUR 2022 of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua is already assured, in addition to Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.

"As you know, Ibero-America is an essential area at FITUR and very well represented at the fair in all its editions, and this year 2022 it is once again, in addition to the fact that the Dominican Republic is the 2022 FITUR partner and will surprise us with a splendid stand and a spectacular display of its rich and varied tourism offerings," said the director general of Spain's leading tourism fair.

Another confirmation made by Valcarce was the holding of EXCELTUR's Tourism Leadership Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, the opening day of the fair, under the title "Rethinking Tourism Post Covid: new challenges, new looks".

Although the epidemiological situation in the world is currently complex due to the appearance of the Omicron variant, health protocols have been reinforced within the fairgrounds. All international participants will be required to have the current documentation, such as the Vaccination Certificate for attendees from the European Union, and the official requirements at the border during these dates.  

"It will be mandatory to wear a mask inside the facilities and there will be hydroalcoholic gel dispensers throughout the fair, and we will be using digital passes. On the other hand, I like to emphasize that the IFEMA MADRID facilities are equipped with an advanced ventilation system that guarantees complete air renewal every 20 minutes, and this is an essential factor to prevent the spread of pathogens," explained the directive.    

Rigorous measures have also been implemented, such as capacity control in all pavilions, the organization of the movement of people and the distribution of spaces to ensure interpersonal safety distance.