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The International Tourism Fair of Madrid, Fitur, turns 40 and to celebrate it has thrown the house through the window, assembling the largest edition of its history at the stroke of events, presentations, tastings, curious stands, crazy activities ... Then, a road map so as not to get lost in the 69,697.5 square meters of Ifema (to get an idea: a size similar to that of six football fields ), place of celebration, and in passing to choose the perfect destination for the next vacation.

The figures: 165 countries, 918 exhibitors ...

The 40 edition of Fitur ( from January 22 to 26 ) starts this Wednesday with a 3.8% higher offer than in 2019 , when it broke its own record by having 53,490 participants, 142,642 professionals (will be from Wednesday to Friday) and 110,848 general public (over the weekend). And this year is expected to exceed the figure. At the moment, the number of exhibitors has already increased (there will be 918), with room for 11,040 companies from 165 countries and regions around the world. All this made the economic impact of the 2019 edition, for which 8,433 journalists and bloggers were accredited, out of 325 million euros.

General view of the pavilions of Fitur in Ifema.

How to get to Ifema

The best way to get to Ifema these days (Avda. Del Partenón, 5) is by public transport via the underground line 8 and get off at the Feria de Madrid stop, directly connected to both Nuevos Ministerios (where the nearest Renfe station) such as Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas airport .

By bus, lines 73 (Diego de León-Feria de Madrid), 112 (Mar de Cristal-Aeropuerto), 122 (Avenida de América-Feria de Madrid) and 828 (Autonomous University-Alcobendas-Feria de Madrid-) can be used Canillejas).

There are also several non-free parking lots in the area, from which you can access the fairground through the North Gate. Of course, it does not ensure that there are gaps these days.

The latest technologies are present in the destinations.

Schedules and ticket prices

For professional visitors, who can go from January 22 to 24, the price of the ticket for a day if they have no invitation is 20 euros (10 if purchased before January 16) if they buy it online and 20 at the box office. The permanent pass is 30 euros. For the general public (January 25 and 26), the price for one-day ticket is 10 euros, whether purchased online or at the box office of the fair. Children under 12 enter free.

As for the schedules , the 22 and 24 the enclosure is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while the 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sunday 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

From Egypt to Indonesia through Leon

Fitur occupies 10 pavilions this year and they are distributed as follows: Africa in pavilion 1, Middle East in 2; America in 3; Europe in 4; Asia-Pacific will occupy all 6, Enterprise, Technology and Global Enterprise, in 8; Company and Associations , in 10, and Spanish Official Entities and Organizations, in 5, 7 and 9. Not surprisingly, 44% of the participation is national.

Typical dances in the Indonesian stand.

How to move between the 10 pavilions

You will see many people from pavilion to pavilion with shopping carts or even suitcases with wheels . It is not a bad idea, since although the pavilions are joined by mechanical corridors to Fitur it comes to walk. And a lot. Inside the facilities, it is hot (we will not deny it), but in the courtyards between pavilion and pavilion it can not be colder (and this week the storm does not give truce). Whoever wants to leave the coat in the closet. Last year it cost 1.65 euros per coat and three euros per car or suitcase. Of course, a tip: it is not necessary to shatter your back with brochures and leaflets of a thousand and one destinations. You can ask (or bring your own) a pen-drive with all the information.

South Korea, partner country

The presence as a partner this year of South Korea coincides with the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between Spain and the Asian country. Not surprisingly, it is the third largest Asian market for Spain. In its 320 square meter stand, there will be room for tastings, typical dances, talks and all kinds of information about this country that has 14 places declared World Heritage by Unesco and whose capital, Seoul, has been erected in recent years as a unique destination for lovers of shopping, architecture and design . Not forgetting another tourist landmark: the DMZ or Demilitarized Zone , which separates the two Koreas. For all this, the motto under which it is presented in Fitur is Imagine your Korea, emphasizing the "convergence of tradition and modernity".

South Korea is the partner country in this edition of the fair.

Destinations that are released

Among the countries that come to Fitur for the first time are some such as Gabon, Suriname, Tadjikistan and Taiwan . On the other side of the scale, others who were in previous editions such as El Salvador will not be present.

Stands with zip lines, massages, orchestras ...

Fitur stresses and to remedy it in stands such as Cantabria you can receive a cranial massage to discover the most relaxing face in the region. The one in Marbella will do the same with a "happy feet" treatment. Aragon , on the other hand, surprises with a zip line with which it intends to show the activities in the nature of the community. In the Dominican Republic it will put the touch of color with an orchestra formed by a singer and nine musicians who will play typical merengue instruments for 30 minutes. Indonesia will also show typical dances. Those who pass through Madrid can enjoy live a fragment of the musical Those Little Things by Serrat. In addition, in many of the destinations there will be 3D exhibits and their tourist benefits.

Aragon will propose riding a zip line.

From wine to Sephardic sweets: where to put on boots

Fitur is coming to choose the next holiday destination, but many also eat, let's not fool ourselves. Thus, Ecuador will invite attendees to a cocoa tasting while teaching to make straw hats, one of its star products. The Red de Juderías de España, meanwhile, will test Sephardic sweets and kosher wine , while the Canary Islands will offer native cheeses and wines, in addition to DJ sessions. There are more: Flanders will have Belgian beer tastings, cheese, pate, chips, waffles and their Lotus speculoos cookies, while China will try authentic local food for the celebration of the start of the Chinese Year. La Rioja will be added with tastings of native wines. There is also room for t-shirts, plane tickets or hotel stays.

Ecuador participates with chocolate tastings.

Fitur's other faces

One of the main novelties of this edition is the premiere of Fitur Talent , dedicated to the talent and professional training of employees in organizations of the tourism industry. At the fair there will be an exhibition space in which conferences, workshops and meetings will take place. On the other hand, this area will not miss the areas specialized in sectors of the fair: Fitur Festivals , Fitur Gay (LGTB), Fitur Health, Fitur Know How & Sport, Fitur Screen, Fitur TechY. ...

| More information at www.ifema.es/fitur

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