Professional contacts increased by 10% at Fitur 2017.

Fitur has closed its 2017 edition beating new participation and business records. A total of 6,800 professional meetings were held, 10% more than the previous year, with an estimate, pending final closure, of 245,000 participants, representing a growth of 6%.

Another highlight this year has been the weight of the professional attendance during the first three days, which amounted to 135,838 visitors, representing an increase of 9%, with a high international representation. It was also attended by nearly 7,500 journalists from the media from all over the world.

All in all, the fair was highly valued as a forum for international operations, where thousands of bilateral appointments took place. Only the meetings organized by Fitur, with its International Buyers from around the world program, have generated a total of 6,800 business meetings, 10% more than in 2016.

Also significant has been the growth of the international participation, with 9% more exhibitors, among which stand out the destinations of America, with an increase of 17%; followed by Asia–Pacific, with 12%; and Europe (including Israel), with 9% more.

In addition, destinations such as Aruba, Nassau and Pakistán were present for the first time. A total of 9,672 companies from 165 countries participated in the fair. The highest growth was among technology companies that develop products for tourism: 23%.

In the 2017 edition, the fair grew by 10% in exhibition space, reaching 62.494 m2, which housed 755 exhibitors with booths in Ifema's eight pavilions, also 6% above the number of participants in 2016. Overall figures that place Fitur as the benchmark event for business tourism in Madrid, whose economic impact has exceeded 240 million euros.