2026 Hotel Conferences and Trade Shows in Spain
Spain is one of Europe's most important hospitality markets, with a dynamic tourism industry that attracts hundreds of millions of visitors annually. Spanish hotels are known for their innovation in guest experience, strong operational efficiency, and leadership in sustainable tourism. The country's hospitality events reflect this expertise, offering world-class exhibitions, educational programs, and networking opportunities that attract professionals from across Europe and beyond.
In 2026, Spain will host several major hotel and hospitality events in its key cities, providing valuable opportunities for discovering new solutions, learning from industry leaders, and building strategic relationships that can enhance business performance.
Let's take a look at the top hotel conferences and trade shows in Spain for 2026:
1. FITUR (International Tourism Fair)
Date: January 21-25, 2026
Location: IFEMA, Madrid, Spain
Description: FITUR is one of the world's most important tourism trade fairs and the leading event for inbound and outbound markets in Ibero-America. This five-day event attracts over 250,000 participants from 165 countries, including hotel groups, tour operators, travel agencies, destination marketing organizations, and tourism boards. For hoteliers, FITUR provides unmatched access to international distribution partners, particularly from Latin American markets where Spain has strong cultural and business ties. The event features extensive exhibitions, high-level conferences on tourism trends, and countless networking opportunities. Spanish hotels use FITUR to meet with tour operators planning their seasonal programs, establish new distribution partnerships, and understand emerging source markets that will drive future demand.
2. Hostelco
Date: April 2026
Location: Fira Barcelona, Spain
Description: Hostelco is Spain's premier hospitality equipment and services trade fair, bringing together hotel operators, restaurant owners, and suppliers across four days of exhibitions and networking. The event covers everything from kitchen equipment and hotel furniture to technology solutions and operational services. With over 60,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors, Hostelco provides comprehensive coverage of hospitality operations, making it valuable for hotel operators planning renovations, seeking new suppliers, or exploring operational improvements. The Barcelona setting and international exhibitor base make Hostelco particularly relevant for Spanish hotels looking to benchmark against European standards and discover innovations from across the continent.
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Date: May 2026
Location: Madrid or Barcelona, Spain
Description: Smart Travel News Inspire is a travel and hospitality innovation event that brings together forward-thinking hoteliers, technology providers, and industry consultants to explore emerging trends and breakthrough solutions. This one-day event focuses on practical innovations rather than theoretical concepts, featuring case studies from hotels that have successfully implemented new technologies and operational approaches. For Spanish hoteliers interested in digital transformation, guest experience innovation, or operational efficiency, the event provides actionable insights and direct access to solution providers. The compact format keeps sessions focused and allows for meaningful networking conversations without the overwhelming scale of larger trade fairs.
Date: April 2026
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Description: The Short Stay Conference focuses specifically on serviced apartments, extended stay properties, and the growing short-term rental sector. This event brings together operators, investors, technology providers, and regulatory experts to address the unique challenges and opportunities in alternative accommodations. For hotel operators diversifying into serviced apartments or property managers serving the short-term rental market, the conference provides valuable insights on operational best practices, regulatory compliance, and guest experience optimization. The Barcelona location reflects Spain's importance in the European short-term rental market, particularly in tourist destinations where these properties compete directly with traditional hotels.
Date: March 2026
Location: Madrid, Spain
Description: Horeca Professional Expo is a comprehensive trade fair for hospitality and foodservice professionals, covering equipment, supplies, technology, and services for hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses. The three-day event brings together Spanish and international suppliers with buyers from across the Iberian Peninsula. For hotel operators planning equipment upgrades, seeking new F&B suppliers, or exploring operational technology, Horeca Professional Expo provides a convenient platform for comparing options and negotiating with vendors. The Madrid location makes it particularly accessible for hotel groups with properties throughout central Spain.
6. IBTM World
Date: November 2026
Location: Fira Barcelona, Spain
Description: IBTM World is one of the leading trade shows for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events industry, attracting over 3,000 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from around the globe. This three-day event is essential for hotels with conference facilities, event spaces, or those seeking to grow their corporate and group business. IBTM provides direct access to meeting planners, corporate event organizers, and destination management companies who book substantial room nights throughout the year. For Spanish hotels in Barcelona, Madrid, and other key cities, IBTM offers opportunities to showcase their MICE facilities to international buyers and establish long-term partnerships that provide stable, high-value business.
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These Spanish hotel conferences and trade shows in 2026 offer exceptional opportunities for hospitality professionals to stay current with industry developments, discover innovative solutions, and build relationships that enhance competitiveness. Whether you operate a boutique hotel in Seville, manage a resort on the Costa del Sol, or oversee a portfolio of urban properties in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain's diverse event calendar provides platforms suited to every hospitality segment.
For additional European hospitality insights, explore our related guides:
