International Tourism Trade Fair: Reimagining Travel – Hopes and Proposals

During the pandemic, we've all dreamt of travelling again, whether it be around the world or just to the unknown and unexplored corners of one's own country?

The International Tourism Trade Fair, which took place from the 19th to the 23rd of May in Madrid, was packed with hopeful proposals to whet anyone's appetite for travel.

For the first time since the pandemic hit, 5000 professionals from 55 countries came together again face to face for this event. All of them full of ways to take on tourism and help the sector recover. Sustainability, diversification and security were high on the agenda.

Building back confidence

Confidence in travel is rising. Health safety protocols, vaccination and the lifting of restrictions are allowing Spain, like many other European countries, to bring back visitors. Miguel Sanz, the General Director of Turespaña was at the fair. He tells Euronews that it's essential that the sector helps people feel comfortable to travel again. He says to us that "travelling is safe, it's an activity that has always been related to personal growth, we cannot let this pandemic link it to negative things". He wants travel to continue to be about dreaming, aspirational experiences and improving our perception of the world.

Emotional escapism

Spain's touristic appeal is vast. The Valencia region is just one of the rich areas to discover. Diversifying what's on offer there and exciting visitors are how its tourism sector is looking to recover.

Francesc Colomer is the Regional Secretary for Tourism in the region of Valencia. He describes how travelling or going on holiday changes your perception of life for a little while. According to him, during those holidays, you...