MADRID, January 25, 2024 – Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia inaugurated teh 46th International Tourism Fair (Fitur) this Thursday, an event that began Wednesday with a moment of silence honoring the at least 43 victims of a recent train accident in Adamuz, Córdoba. The fair commenced with a somber tone, as railway operators Iryo, Renfe, and Ouigo canceled their events at fitur in response to the tragedy.
The royal couple’s visit occurred on the final day of the three-day official mourning period. Throughout their approximately two-hour tour, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia underscored the importance of tourism to Spain’s economy and the fair’s role as a crucial meeting point for industry professionals.
What impact does a national tragedy have on major events like Fitur? The fair’s opening was undeniably affected, with key players in the rail industry opting to forgo their presence as a mark of respect for those lost in the Adamuz accident.
During their visit, the royals explored various pavilions, including a stop at a display featuring a Formula 1 car, promoting the Madrid Formula One Grand Prix scheduled for next September. They also visited exhibits representing several autonomous communities, including Madrid, the Canary Islands, the Basque Country, Navarra, Extremadura, and Andalusia.
The kings signed the book of condolences for the Adamuz accident in the Andalusian pavilion, an unscheduled gesture of solidarity with the nation.
In the Andalusian pavilion, the King and Queen signed the book of condolences, writing, “By visiting the Andalusian pavilion of the 46th edition of Fitur we want to leave testimony, in the guest book, of our pain shared with all Spaniards and visitors to the fair in response to the railway tragedy that occurred in Adamuz, Córdoba. With all our affection, Felipe R. Letizia R.” They also exchanged greetings with the general secretary of Andalusian tourism,requesting well wishes be extended to the region’s president,Juanma Moreno.
At the Basque Country stand, Tourism Ministers Javier Hurtado and María Jesús San josé presented the royal couple with a copy of Carlos Carnicero’s book, ‘The city where nothing ever happens. Victory.March 3,1976,’ which chronicles the events of that date in Vitoria-Gasteiz,when five workers died and manny more were injured during a police intervention.
The royal tour continued thru pavilions showcasing European and American exhibitors before concluding at the Mexico stand, the guest country for the 2026 edition of Fitur.
This year’s Fitur welcomes approximately 10,000 companies from 161 countries, with 111 enjoying official portrayal – an increase of 10 compared to the previous year. The fair features a total of 967 exhibitors.
- Fitur 2024 opened with a minute of silence for the victims of the Adamuz train accident.
- king Felipe VI and Queen Letizia inaugurated the fair,emphasizing the importance of the tourism sector.
- Railway operators Iryo, Renfe, and Ouigo canceled their events at Fitur in response to the tragedy.
- Mexico is the guest country for the 2026 edition of the fair.
- The event hosts around 10,000 companies from 161 countries and 967 exhibitors.
