FITUR Cruises 2027 marks its sixth edition as the leading international meeting point for the Spanish cruise tourism industry

FITUR Cruises, the section specialising in cruise tourism at the International Tourism Fair organised by IFEMA MADRID in collaboration with Cruceroadicto, is holding its sixth edition from 20 to 24 January 2027,having established itself as the largest international cruise event for Spanish-speakers. The event will once again be bringing together cruise lines, ports, destinations, travel agencies and travellers under one roof, reinforcing a unique model that fosters professional networking, business development and direct contact with the end customer.

Building on its steady growth seen over the last few editions, in 2027 FITUR Cruises is occupying a new location in Hall 4, with the largest exhibition space in its history and with ‘Discover Puerto Rico’ as its global sponsor. This expansion is a direct response to the steady growth in the number of participating companies and organisations linked to the cruise industry and will improve the integration of the various areas of activity, facilitating interaction between exhibitors, industry professionals and the general public.

This growth at FITUR Cruises also coincides with a particularly positive period for the industry. According to the State of the Cruise Industry Report 2026 produced by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the sector reached an  all-time high of 37.2 million passengers worldwide in 2025. The report also reveals high levels of satisfaction and loyalty, with almost 90% of passengers claiming they will go on another cruise in the future. These figures confirm the strength of a tourism industry that continues to expand its customer base and diversify its offering on an international scale.

Since its launch in 2022, FITUR Cruises has become a benchmark for the industry, as it is the only Spanish-language event that brings together the sector’s four core areas under one umbrella: cruise lines, destinations and ports, travel agencies and travellers. This unique approach has helped to position the section as a strategic forum for promoting sales, raising awareness of cruise holidays and generating new opportunities for collaboration.

FITUR Cruises: a dual programme for industry professionals and travellers

The FITUR Cruises 2027 programme will retain and expand its established features, including Plaza Cruise Market, Cruise Campus, Cruise Scavenger Hunt, the ¡Todos a bordo! (All aboard!) events for travellers, and the Cruceroadicto Awards ceremony. It will also once again combine a clear professional focus during the first few days of the fair with initiatives specifically aimed at the end consumer at the weekend.

The programme of conferences, debates and activities will focus on one of the most significant trends currently affecting the industry: the sustained growth in both demand for and supply of cruises. The sessions will analyse these developments from complementary perspectives, including cruise lines’ strategies, traveller trends, the role of ports and destinations, sustainability, technological innovation and capacity management.

Key topics of this edition will include the popular debate on the evolution of the cruise experience and the growing polarisation of travel motivations: whether cruises remain primarily a way of discovering destinations on land or whether, on the contrary, the ship itself has become the centrepiece of the holiday experience for an ever-increasing number of travellers.

From 20 to 24 January 2027, FITUR Cruises will continue to provide a premier showcase for the cruise industry, raising the sector’s profile and fostering dialogue amongst all those involved in this form of travel.