Fira de Barcelona calls for faster airport expansion to support the growth of MICE tourism

Fira de Barcelona has urged public authorities to act urgently to speed up the expansion of El Prat Airport, an infrastructure it considers strategic to sustaining the growth of business tourism and conferences in the Catalan capital. The institution’s president, Pau Relat, delivered this message during the Foro Barcelona on urban tourism, stressing the need to strengthen international connectivity.

According to Relat, the city’s air and hotel capacity are decisive factors in attracting major international events. Following the recent investment of more than €700 million in the expansion of the Fira, it is essential that infrastructure development keeps pace with this growth, especially through new intercontinental routes.

The MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) grew by 7% in 2024, reaching record revenue of €14.296 billion. Barcelona remains a leader in international conferences, but experts warn that its position could weaken without a substantial improvement in airport capacity.

Fira insists on the need for closer cooperation between major venues, such as Fira de Barcelona and Ifema, and smaller ones, thereby strengthening the city’s mobility and air connectivity in order to consolidate its global leadership in business tourism.