FITUR Sports confirms the strategic value of sports tourism for economic and territorial development

Within the framework of the International Tourism Fair, FITUR Sports celebrated the start of its fourth edition, consolidating its position as an international meeting point for sports tourism professionals. Organized by IFEMA MADRID in collaboration with AFYDAD, the section addresses outdoor sports, competitive sports, sporting events, and Sports Business Travel over three professional days, with a focus on business and innovation.

During the opening ceremony, Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA MADRID, emphasized that sport and tourism are “two inseparable drivers of development, international projection, and social well-being,” highlighting the role of sports tourism as a tool for revitalizing regions and strengthening destination brands. In this context, he praised FITUR as an international platform for business and knowledge exchange, and mentioned the impact of the upcoming Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at IFEMA MADRID, scheduled for September, with an estimated €450 million in revenue and over 8,200 jobs created.

For his part, Andrés de la Dehesa, president of AFYDAD, highlighted the “quantitative and qualitative” growth of FITUR Sports as a reflection of the sector's evolution and affirmed that sports tourism has become a true territorial strategy. Along these lines, he pointed out its contribution to reducing seasonality, creating stable employment, and generating opportunities for young people. He also noted that, according to INE data, sports tourism reached €8.719 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow between 5% and 10% by the end of 2025.

Juan Cierco, president of the CEOE Tourism Council, highlighted that FITUR Sports reflects a clear trend in which sport and tourism mutually reinforce each other as economic and social drivers, underlining the importance of Sports Business Travel and public-private collaboration to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector.

The discussion panels also addressed the role of European funds in boosting sports tourism, highlighting their contribution to the improvement of more than 300 sports facilities and to the development of projects linked to sustainable tourism and sport, with long-term social and economic impact.

Blue tourism and water sports were also highlighted as drivers of activity throughout the year, with success stories such as Lanzarote, where nautical tourism generates more than €32 million, and Vigo, with an estimated impact of €5 million. Golf and skiing were emphasized as sustainable disciplines that contribute to employment, biodiversity, and keeping people in rural areas.

The event also explored the role of artificial intelligence and data analytics in sports tourism management, as well as adventure and sports tourism experiences in Latin America, with examples from Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. FITUR Sports will continue in the coming days with content focused on competitive sports, major events, and sports business travel.