Something new and transformative is taking shape at Fibes. This emblematic space in Seville has recently seen its capacity double to host top-level events, and events that are increasingly significant in the city’s positioning strategy. But more than that, it is the very concept of Fibes itself that is growing into new meanings and new roles. Beyond the events space, which also continues to be more and more relevant every day.
Fibes is a key catalyst in the world of tourism innovation and in the intelligent management of Seville as a destination.
It was in 1989 that the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones de Sevilla (Seville Conference and Exhibition Centre) opened its doors. Those were pre-Expo years and the city was preparing with a formidable energy for a universal event that would leave an indelible mark, forever changing its way of relating to the world and its way of dealing with great events, great challenges. Since then, countless meetings have been held in Fibes: from European Union summits to the Goya Awards or the MTV Europe Music Awards. Under its golden dome, and later in the avant-garde facilities designed by Vázquez Consuegra, exhibitions, fairs, competitions, shows and festivals of different fields, audiences and professional sectors have shone.
This is an example of an event. Today Fibes has taken another step forward, projecting itself as a hub of tourism innovation.
Today Fibes has taken another step forward, projecting itself as a hub for tourism innovation. The relevant fact that generates an extraordinary leadership opportunity is the trend towards new tourism models, new traveler profiles and new ways of understanding the governance of destinations. Seville as a destination, and Fibes as an essential part of the city’s tourism system, have joined this scenario full of expectations for the future.
The initiative is aimed at promoting the development of innovative tourism projects from Fibes, within the framework of its facilities. Fibes thus becomes a space where startups and research projects related to tourism in Seville are promoted, as well as a meeting point where innovative ideas and solutions for a greener, more sustainable and technological future can be debated and reflected upon.
This was Fibes’ calling card when it hosted the 3rd edition of the Global Forum of Local Governments in October 2021, where the recovery of cities after the pandemic was addressed, focusing the meeting on the need to promote policies aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the “Green Deal” or European Green Pact. This meeting, sponsored by the Seville City Council, was attended by national and international local administrations, as well as other public and private entities that debated the role of cities in a changing world. This new Fibes welcomes companies of all kinds, startups and future entrepreneurs to promote research and innovation. A space conducive to working together, learning and reflection focused on the tourism phenomenon and new management and governance models: a think tank of international reference whose pillars are sustainable development and social welfare.
In November 2022 Fibes will host the third edition of the Tourism Innovation Summit, an event that has placed Seville and Fibes at the center of European tourism innovation. Under the slogan “New horizons for tourism tech”, the 2022 TIS will once again focus on digitalisation, technological innovations and sustainability, and will address the keys to reviving tourism demand.
This is not the only strategic initiative undertaken by Fibes. This year’s agenda includes events related to aeronautics, sports, culture and digital currency that place Fibes in a position of specialization and leadership in strategic areas… Fibes is also emerging as an audiovisual hub that will promote the growth of the film industry in our city. At the last Fitur held in Madrid, Seville signed its adhesion to the Spain Film Commission, an agreement that will contribute to the take-off of the audiovisual sector through the Sevilla&me initiative. In this context, Fibes plans to convert one of its warehouses into a large filming pavilion. It will transform more than 5,000 square meters into a space equipped with the latest technologies and services with the aim of promoting Seville within the national and international audiovisual industry and film tourism.
