Expovacaciones 2026 Drives the Debate on Smart Tourism

Expovacaciones 2026, to be held at Bilbao Exhibition Centre from May 8 to 10, strengthens its position as a benchmark for the tourism sector with new professional content. On the first day it will host the conference "Smart Tourism Governance: Data, Distribution and Resident Wellbeing", organized by Basquetour, opened by Daniel Solana and presented by Nagore Uresandi Espinosa, PhD, CEO and founder of IN2destination. The first session, on managing and measuring tourist flows in public space (9:30-10:20), features Elisabeth Markussen, senior manager at Wonderful Copenhagen and leader of the CopenPay project, and Miroslav Drašković, director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. The second, on urban governance and regulation of tourist rental housing (10:30-11:20), brings together Bart Rondas, deputy director of Economy and Tourism for the city of Ghent, and Finbarr Filan, chair of the Sligo Business Improvement District and of ISME. The fair also incorporates the Etikoa Certificate, which BEC joins under the Barakaldo destination, recognizing commitment to sustainability, inclusion and respect for the environment and local communities. In its 46th edition, the show will gather national and international destinations, active tourism, gastronomy and family experiences around the "Experimenta" and "Saborea" themes.