‘FIBO MEETS RIYADH’: Fitness & Hospitality

The convergence of fitness, wellness, and hospitality was the highlight of the FIBO meets Riyadh pop-up event, held on January 27 at Core Riyadh—a luxurious lifestyle destination that blends innovation with community values.

This exclusive, invitation-only event brought together senior hospitality leaders across Saudi Arabia, global providers of fitness equipment and solutions, as well as representatives from the Saudi Tourism Authority.

The gathering was organized by FIBO Global Fitness, the world’s leading trade fair for fitness, wellness, and health, in partnership with Black Coral Consulting and YP Business Consulting. It served as a vibrant platform for networking and exchanging industry knowledge.

The central theme of the event focused on monetizing fitness and wellness spaces within the hospitality industry.

Experts deliberated on how these two industries can collaborate to meet the changing demands of consumers, increase revenue streams, and enhance guest experiences.

Key topics included market trends, innovations, the rising demand for immersive wellbeing experiences, and strategies for positioning fitness and wellness spaces as profit-generating assets instead of operational afterthoughts.

Florian Brauer, Senior Global Brand Manager at FIBO Global Fitness, highlighted how fitness and hospitality can thrive together, especially in rapidly growing markets like Saudi Arabia.

He stated, “FIBO’s vision is to strengthen the fitness industry and create a healthier society.

With hotels and resorts opening at an unprecedented rate in the Kingdom, now is the time to incorporate premium wellness experiences into hospitality offerings.”

Judith Cartwright, Founder and Managing Director of Black Coral Consulting, emphasized the commercial potential of fitness spaces in her keynote address.

“Hotels must rethink their strategies—fitness facilities should be an integral part of their revenue plans.

These spaces should not only improve guest stays but also attract local paying members, transforming gyms into vibrant social and lifestyle hubs," she said.

Yves Preissler, Owner of YP Business Consulting, shed light on emerging trends in designing fitness and wellness spaces.

Using the event location as an example, he stated, “Core Riyadh represents the future of hospitality infused with fitness.

It’s more than just a gym—it’s a comprehensive lifestyle destination where fitness, relaxation, dining, and community come together seamlessly.”

During the event, attendees received insight into what’s next for FIBO, including FIBO 2025 in Cologne, set for April 10-13, which will feature a dedicated hospitality track to further encourage collaboration between fitness and hospitality sectors.

Additionally, the event announced the inaugural FIBO Saudi, scheduled to take place from October 1-3, 2025, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

This new exhibition aims to create a pivotal platform for regional and international companies to connect with partners and expand business opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s thriving fitness and hospitality industries.

Source: hotelandcatering

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