FITUR 2015, the International Tourism Trade Fair, an event organized by IFEMA to be staged from January 28 to February 1, 2015 at FERIA DE MADRID, will present FITURGREEN, a section designed to focus on innovation and sustainability within the tourist industry with a view to boosting the competitiveness of both companies and destinations, effectively bringing together current trends and the latest consumer expectations and demands.

FITURGREEN 2015, the Sixth Sustainability and Tourism Forum, co-organized by the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH), the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and FITUR, will take place throughout the trade fair’s three-day duration.

It will present a series of successful initiatives, projects and practical experiences at both a national and international level, based on the staging of different conferences and debates, exhibitions and workshops.

The Managing Director of the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH), Álvaro Carrillo de Albornoz, has explained that “this year, our conferences and practical workshops will analyse different success stories, tools and alternative management systems in three key areas: the planning, management and promotion of tourist destinations; models of sustainable accommodation; and technology and innovation linked to the realm of sustainability”. We might make special mention of the fITH Network Workshop on the financing and public subsidisation of sustainability at hotels for Spanish tourism companies, “which will allow the participants to review and explore different possibilities amongst the financing options for purchasing equipment, funding refurbishment and introducing improvements that enhance sustainability”.

The fITH Network Workshop, which has recently been set up by the Hotel Technology Institute, seeks to promote the development of sustainable tourism programmes, plans and policies throughout the entire industry through the use of financing, investment and financial analysis instruments that cater for the specific needs and strategic priorities of the hotel and tourist business in Spain.

FITUR, www.ifema.es