With 842 million arrivals and a 4.5 percent growth rate, 2006 exceeded expectations as the tourism sector continued to enjoy above average results, making it a new record year for the industry.

The International Tourism Fair (FITUR), that opened in Madrid on Wednesday and attracted exhibitors from 170 nations, representing 13,190 companies and 845 non-commercial exhibitors, came to a close today with high expectations pinned on next the 2008 event.

Argentina has landed at Madrid’s IFEMA Fairgrounds with “high expectations,” Argentine tourism secretary Enrique Meyer said minutes before the grand opening. The South American country’s delegation is so far the largest ever sent to FITUR, Mr. Meyer pointed out.

Acciona Trasmediterranea has come to FITUR 2007 with a purpose in mind: to celebrate its 90th anniversary with class and style, and that includes a much bigger stand than the year before in an effort to “catch the company’s businesslike and innovative spirit,” the group said in a press release.

The tourism sector continues to show sustained growth, according to new figures by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be released just before FITUR. The latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer will offer final figures for 2006, and the first regional forecasts for 2007.

The UNWTO Education and Knowledge Management Department and its UNWTO-THEMIS Foundation are announcing that they will be holding an International Conference on Excellence in Tourism Governance: Strategic and Operational Issues on February 1, within the activities of the FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair, at the premises of Juan Carlos I in Madrid Fairgrounds in Spain’s Madrid.