FITUR Woman 2025 celebrates its fifth edition with a day highlighting female leadership and pride of belonging in tourism

The International Tourism Trade Fair, taking place from 22 to 26 January at IFEMA MADRID, is hosting the fifth edition of FITUR Woman; a space dedicated to promoting female leadership and highlighting the impact of women in the tourism industry. Organised in collaboration with Women Leading Tourism (WLT) and with the support of Extremadura, this edition taking place on Wednesday 22 January will feature a programme that delves into the emotional link between people, tourist destinations and sustainable development.

Under the slogan ‘Orgullo de Pertenencia’ (Pride of Belonging), the FITUR Woman conference consist of three panels: ‘The tourism we all want'; 'Pride of Belonging - destination and culture’ and Pride of Belonging - Tourism Industry' featuring experts who will be addressing the transformative role of women in the industry, the pride of belonging to destinations, as well as strategies to preserve cultural authenticity and promote sustainable and inclusive tourism.

In addition, there will be appearances by guests of honour, ministerial talks and specialnetworking events, as well as the Women Leading Tourism Awards awards, highlighting outstanding women's initiatives and leadership in the tourism sector.

FITUR Woman 2025, full programme, Hall 10

Day’s schedule: Wednesday 22 January, 3.30-6.30pm Activities | 6.30-7.00pm Cocktail reception

3.15pm Reception

3.30pm Official Opening

With the presence of Maribel Rodriguez, president of WLT and María Guardiola Martín, president of Junta Extremadura.

3. 45pm Panel I -   El turismo que todos queremos (The tourism we all want)

This panel will be discussing the current issue of managing and safeguarding the sense of belonging of the resident population in tourist areas, avoiding their depersonalisation or depopulation. The participants will be addressing the challenges of tourism from a perspective where collaboration is fundamental and sharing the importance and role of the associative world in both destinations and companies.

Participants: Eduardo Santander, CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC); María Lourdes Prieto, president, CNET, Mexico and Laura Teruel, Secretary General, Cámara Argentina de Turismo (confirmed)

Moderated by: Marlen Estevez, President WLW, Partner RocaJunyenet

4.10pm La Importancia de las Alianzas (The Importance of Partnerships): 

• Carmen Salazar, president of FIASEET
• Teresa Garcia, president of ASEET
• Belen Valentin-Gamazo president of ADEAPE
• Moderated by: Matilde Almandoz president OPC Spain

4. 30pm Africa Outlook

Participants: Governance Council Board Chairperson, Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (ZITHS) Mulemwa Moongwa and Cecile Sombo-dobele, Founder of TAMTAM Guide, Democratic Republic of Congo and Julia Kleber, CEO of The Red Karpet.

Moderated by: Nikolina Angelkova, Chairwoman, Center of Empowerment of Women in Politics, Former Minister Tourism Bulgaria & WEF Young Global Leader 

4.50pm Panel II - Orgullo de Pertenencia destino y cultura (Pride of Belonging - destination and culture)

This panel will delve into the pride of cultural belonging. It will present the DNA and discuss what is being done to maintain authenticity, involve destinations, the local community, and promote and safeguard cultural identity. 

Participants: Victoria Bazaga, councillor for Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports, Extremadura , Amora Carvajal, Peruvian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Carolina Trejos, Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

Moderated by: Esther Benito, director of Turismo Atrevia

5.10pm Special guest: Natalia Bayona, executive director, UN Tourism

5.25pm Panel III - Orgullo de Pertenencia Sector Turismo (Pride of Belonging - Tourism Industry)

Sustainable and inclusive companies that attract and retain the best talent, providing the best working conditions, an opportunity for career development and creating an environment with opportunities that create a sense of pride in forming part the industry. 

Participants: Raquel Sánchez, president of Paradores de España; Enrique Ibarra, CEO, City Sightseeing and Isabel Llorens, CEO and founder of Rusticae. Moderated by: Marian Muro: Destination Expert

5.45pm Vision 2025- Maribel Rodriguez, President WLT 

6.00pm      Women Leading Tourism Awards

• Lider Comprometida / Women Leader Award
• Reconocimiento al Destino / Destination Award
• Empresa Comprometida / Committed Company Award
• Liderazgo Global / Global Leadership Award
• Persona Comprometida / Committed Woman Award

  Official closure: 

In the presence of Rosario Sanchez Grau, Secretary of State for Tourism

6.30om Networking cocktail event

 

Hosted by: Teresa Llana, Vice-president Women Leading Tourism, International Tourism Expert.