The 20th edition of FITUR TechY opened yesterday at Madrid’s FITUR 2026, reaffirming its position as the leading forum on innovation, sustainability and tourism technology. 

Technology at the service of people and leadership

Organized by FITUR in partnership with the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH), the specialized section is being held under the slogan From Robot to Ally, a clear statement of intent to place technology at the service of people and leadership. The opening session featured a formal welcome from Fede Fuster, President of ITH, followed by the TechY Business forum, which explored how technological innovation is reshaping hotel management and strategic decision-making. 

Revenue advertising, and AI in hospitality

Discussions set the tone for a programme focused on high-tech solutions, business transformation and leadership as the key drivers of today’s and tomorrow’s hotels. Practical applications of technology took centre stage with sessions on Revenue Advertising, and on artificial intelligence in hospitality. AI solutions already in use were examined, as well as those set to become essential by 2026, highlighting efficiency, personalization and data-driven decision-making.

Sustainable mobility at the TechYdestino forum

Sustainability was another core pillar of the programme with a session on sustainable mobility and the TechYdestino forum closed the day with an in-depth look at tourism governance in the age of artificial intelligence, emphasising data, transparency and ethical management, while TechYfuturo focused on how spaces, experiences and management models will evolve under automation. FITUR TechY is supported by Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar as main sponsor, with Orange Empresas as technology partner and Enovam as energy partner.

The 4th FITUR Sports 

Alongside TechY, the fourth edition of FITUR Sports opened, consolidating its role as an international meeting point for sports tourism professionals. Organised by IFEMA MADRID in collaboration with AFYDAD, the section focuses on outdoor sports, competitive sports, sporting events and Sports Business Travel. European funds were highlighted as a key tool to diversify tourism offerings and boost local economies, with examples including nautical tourism in Lanzarote and Vigo, as well as mountain and adventure tourism across Latin America.

The 5th FITUR Woman  

The fifth edition of FITUR Woman also took place on the opening day, underscoring the importance of diversity and female talent in tourism decision-making. Organized in collaboration with Women Leading Tourism and supported by Discover Puerto Rico, the forum examined tourism as a driver of economic empowerment, addressing challenges such as inequality, the gender pay gap, job insecurity and women’s representation in leadership. Discussions also focused on the current context and the challenges facing tourism in 2026, reinforcing the role of investment and economic empowerment at a regional level. Together, FITUR TechY, FITUR Sports and FITUR Woman offered a comprehensive vision of tourism’s future: innovative, inclusive and firmly centred on people.

Guardiagrele in the heart of the Abruzzo region, is a charming hill town famous for its artisan crafts and local delicacies.

Views of the Adriatic coast and the Appenines

Known for its artisan traditions, medieval architecture, and spectacular views across the Adriatic and the Apennine mountains, Guardiagrele is known as the “City of Stone,” and offers an authentic slice of Italy for travelers seeking culture, history, and gastronomy at a slow pace. It is some 40 kilometres inland from the coastal city of Pescara, which is the main gateway to the region and has an airport for domestic and European flights.  From Pescara Guardiagrele can be reached by car in under an hour via the A25 and A14 motorways, and the drive itself is part of the experience, with winding roads offering beautiful panoramas over olive groves and hilltop villages.

Wrought ironwork and goldsmithing

Guardiagrele’s most iconic monument is the 13th-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, built in golden local stone and boasting a stunning Romanesque-Gothic façade and precious artworks and frescoes. The central Corso Roma is lined with elegant palazzi, artisan boutiques, and cafés, and the Civic Museum displays many archaeological finds, sacred art, and local crafts. The town is famous for its centuries-old artisan traditions, especially wrought ironwork and goldsmithing, a legacy that lives on in workshops where visitors can admire and purchase handmade jewelry and ironwork. 

Local delicacies and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines

Guardiagrele is home to the “Sise delle Monache,” triangular sponge cakes filled with cream, and traditional Abruzzese dishes abound from “Arrosticini” which are skewers of lamb to homemade pasta like “Maccheroni alla chitarra.” It also has mountain cheeses such as Pecorino, and the excellent Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines. 

Skiing and swimming are only a hour away

Nature lovers will find the Majella National Park right on the town’s doorstep, with its many hiking trails, hermitages, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. The area is also rich in archaeological and medieval sites, from ancient shepherd trails to fortified villages. Nearby villages like Pretoro and Roccascalegna, with its dramatic cliffside castle, are perfect day trips. In winter the ski resorts in the Majella are easily accessible and in summer, the Adriatic beaches are under an hour away.

Brisighella is one of the Emilia Romagna region’s best-kept secrets and offers culture, cuisine and countryside in one unmissable stop.  

Authentic charm and walking trails 

This atmospheric medieval village has authentic charm, and its medieval heart is a delight to explore. The pastel-hued houses on the Via degli Asini sit on an ancient defensive walkway with arched windows overlooking the town, making it one of Italy’s most Instagrammable streets.  The 14th-century Rocca Manfrediana fortress, Monticino Sanctuary, and the old Clock Tower above the village have great views across vineyards, olive groves, and the Lamone Valley. There are also well-tended walking routes connecting these landmarks, and the surrounding Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola has scenic hiking and biking trails. 

Art, culture and food festivals

For culture lovers the Collegiate Church of San Michele, with its 18th-century interior and artworks, is worth a visit, as is the small but interesting Museo Civico Giuseppe Ugonia. Dedicated to the local lithographer and painter Giuseppe Ugonia, the museum displays a collection of his evocative prints alongside temporary art exhibitions. The Sanctuary of Monticino has a revered 17th-century terracotta Madonna and is an important local pilgrimage site.  Brisighella hosts many concerts, medieval pageants, and food festivals, such as the annual Olive Oil Festival celebrating the prized extra-virgin DOP olive oil. The closest air access to Brisighella is Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi airport, which is about 75 kilometres away, and is well-served by European carriers and long-haul connections. Florence Airport is another option at 100 kilometres. 

Close to Ravenna, Modena and Parma 

Brisighella makes an excellent base or stopover in an Emilia Romagna package. Faenza, famed for its ceramics, is only 12 kilometres away, and Ravenna, with its UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics, lies about 50 kilometres to the northeast. For gourmet travelers Modena and Parma are reachable within a day, making Brisighella a natural complement to the region’s famed food and art cities, and is an attractive addition to itineraries designed for FITs, small groups, and themed tours exploring the heart of Italy.

United in sadness, we at ItaliAbsolutely stand with Spain following the devastating high-speed rail crash near the town of Adamuz in the province of Cordova, a tragedy that has shaken the nation and the world.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking accident. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the many who were injured, wishing them strength and a full and steady recovery.
Our thoughts also reach the organizers and participants of the FITUR travel exhibition in Madrid, gathered this week amid profound national mourning. May compassion guide the conversations and connections at FITUR during these difficult days. With deepest respect and sympathy, we offer hope to all for healing and resilience ahead. (Pamela McCourt Francescone, Executive Editor)

ENIT S.p.A. and Milano Cortina have joined forces to promote the uniqueness and excellence of Italian tourism. 

Highlighting the uniqueness and excellence of Italy

The Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation and ENIT S.p.A. the Italian national tourist board have announced the signing of a strategic agreement aimed at enhancing the promotion of tourism in the country ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The collaboration aims to highlight the uniqueness and excellence of Italy to millions of spectators and tourists. Twenty years after the last Winter Games in Italy, this year’s  Games bring the country back to the centre of the international stage

Promoting pillars of the “Italian brand”

For over a century ENIT has been committed to strengthening the national tourism industry and the synergy with the Olympic Organizing Committee will promote the integration and promotion of tourism and cultural services on a national scale. ENIT will also support initiatives dedicated to local excellence, pillars of the “Italian brand” that will help make the Olympic and Paralympic experience an unforgettable journey through its identity.

Italy is portrayed as a global destination

Sponsoring the event provides an extraordinary opportunity for international visibility, allowing ENIT, the institutional system of the Ministry of Tourism, the Italian brand and the Italia.it platform to be linked to some of the main values of the Games like excellence, inclusion and sustainability. Italy is portrayed not only as the host country, but as a global destination, capable of expressing quality, vision and attractiveness through the official channels of one of the most watched events in the world.

Varnier: “An unrivalled global showcase”

Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation: "The partnership between Milano Cortina 2026 and ENIT represents a strategic alliance for the future of Italian tourism. Together we confirm that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are an unrivalled global showcase, that can portray an innovative, welcoming Italy that is deeply connected to its roots. It is a unique opportunity to consolidate a positive image of Italy around the world, generating a valuable legacy for the entire country."

Priante: “Sporting events…among the major drivers of tourism”

"Such a world-class event attracts international tourists from every continent. We are proud to support Milano Cortina 2026 and are confident in the success of the event. Our observatory has noted that in recent years sporting events have been among the major drivers of tourism, attracting tourists from abroad and promoting the gems of our territory. We are confident that it will be a success for our country," said Alessandra Priante, President of ENIT S.p.A.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation

The aim of the Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation, in agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), the cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Veneto and Lombardy regions, and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, is to plan, organize, finance and deliver the Milan Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2026. Established on 9 December 2019, the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation is led by President Giovanni Malagò and CEO Andrea Varnier. 

ENIT the Italian National Tourist Board 

ENIT SpA is responsible for promoting Italian tourism and increasing its attractiveness. Its activities include deseasonalization, diversification of what Italy has to offer and the enhancement of tourist facilities and sites. It also promotes specialist training for operators and develops a digital ecosystem to optimize the use of tourist goods and services. ENIT promotes Italy's tourism image abroad, involving regions and local authorities. It implements national and international promotional strategies, supports companies in marketing Italian tourism services and integrates quality products from other economic, cultural and environmental sectors, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Tourism.

Wizz Air raises the bar for low-cost travel with the introduction of WIZZ Class, a new optional service designed for cost-conscious passengers seeking privacy.

WIZZ Class is on selected flights

The service is available for purchase on selected flights to and from Budapest, Bucharest Otopeni, Warsaw, London Luton, London Gatwick and Rome Fiumicino. For those choosing WIZZ Class, one of the middle seats in the first rows (1B or 1E) will remain reserved. As the first row already offers extra legroom, the service will provide more comfort for relaxing or working while flying in the airline's usual single-class cabin. 

“We have listened to our passengers' requests”

WIZZ Class will be available as an additional option during the booking process for those purchasing the Smart and Plus packages, on the seat selection page. These packages already include priority boarding with a 10kg trolley, now with the WIZZ Class integration, passengers will also get a blocked middle seat and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage snack.  “Business travel is growing across our network and we have listened to our passengers' requests,”  said Silvia Mosquera, Wizz Air's commercial officer. 

More space and high-efficiency configuration 

“They ask us for a bit more space and speed, but they don't want to pay the business class prices of traditional airlines. WIZZ Class responds to this demand, offering passengers the space they want and the service they deserve, without compromising on our simple and affordable model. We also confirm our commitment to remaining a single-class carrier to maintain our efficiency goals. Unlike traditional business class offerings, WIZZ Class does not require expensive cabin upgrades. The solution is simple: reserving only two middle seats gives customers space to stretch out and work, while maintaining the high-efficiency configuration Wizz Air is known for.

Toscana Aeroporti scored a new traffic record in 2025 with 9.8 million passengers, a growth of +8.4% over 2024.  

Record numbers for Florence’s Vespucci Airport

The company that manages both Pisa and Florence airports recorded 9.8 million passengers, a solid performance of both traffic segments: the international component growing by +8.8%, while the domestic one rose by +7.4%.  Florence’s Vespucci Airport handled 3.8 million passengers, equal to an increase of +9.4% compared to 2024, numbers that make 2025 its best year ever. Driving the excellent performance was the international traffic segment (+12.2%), which accounted for 87.2% of total passengers. This high percentage was not affected by the drop in the domestic segment: -6.4% compared to 2024. The most popular connections were Paris, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Munich.  

Pisa’s Galilei Airport handled almost six million passengers

2025 was also an excellent year for Pisa airport, which saw a growth in traffic in every month of the year compared to 2024. Galilei Airport handled almost six million passengers, 7.8% more than the previous year, the best result ever for Pisa’s airport. As in Florence, the highest percentages were recorded in Pisa by the international traffic segment, which grew by 6.3% (compared to 2024 which was 74.7% of the total.

“This record validates our industrial vision” 

“Closing 2025 with the record result of 9.8 million passengers is a clearest demonstration of the vitality and strategic centrality of the Tuscan Airport System,- said Marco Carrai, president of Toscana Aeroporti. -This record result, obtained with growth in every single month of the year in both Florence and Pisa, definitely validates our industrial vision. 2026 opens with a clear perspective: transforming these traffic volumes into structural value. The urgency of completing the planned infrastructural investments, from the expansion of Pisaìs terminal to the realization of the Florence Masterplan, is no longer just a strategic objective, but a dutiful response to a demand for mobility that we are ready to satisfy efficiently and sustainably with a concrete and positive impact on our region.” 

Cathay Pacific is boosting capacity between Hong Kong and Rome Fiumicino, which will be linked by four flights a week this summer.

Airbus A350-900 flights four days weekly

From 30 March to 24 October 2026, the seasonal route between Hong Kong and Rome - operated with Airbus A350-900s- will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The increase in frequencies responds to growing passenger demand and further expands travel opportunities both for Asian travellers eager to discover Rome and Italy's rich cultural heritage and  those flying to the Asia-Pacific region.

“Offering customers…a wide and flexible range of travel solutions” 

With this expansion, Cathay Pacific consolidates its presence in the Italian market, where it currently operates direct flights from Milan Malpensa. “The increase in frequencies to Rome reflects the strong demand for travel from and to Hong Kong and the entire Asia-Pacific region,- said Adrien Ng, Cathay’s area head Southern Europe. -It also underscores our commitment to offering customers an increasingly wide and flexible range of travel solutions. Italy is a key market for us, not only because of its global tourism relevance, but also because of its strategic role in fostering trade and cultural ties between Europe and Asia".

Connections to numerous Asia-Pacific destinations

Passengers travelling from Asia can reach Rome directly from Hong Kong, landing in one of the world's most iconic cultural capitals and an ideal gateway to explore Italy's artistic, historical and gastronomic excellence. Passengers departing from Rome will benefit from connections to numerous Asia-Pacific destinations via Cathay Pacific's main hub in Hong Kong.