FIBO Riyadh: Hospitality & Fitness

The convergence of fitness, wellness, and hospitality was the main attraction at the FIBO meets Riyadh pop-up event.

Held on January 27 at Core Riyadh—a luxurious, innovative lifestyle destination rooted in community—the event brought together key figures in the industry.

This invitation-only gathering hosted senior hospitality leaders across Saudi Arabia, international providers of fitness equipment and solutions, and representatives from the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Organized by FIBO Global Fitness, the world’s premier trade fair for fitness, wellness, and health, and co-hosted by Black Coral Consulting and YP Business Consulting, the event offered an engaging platform for networking and exchanging insights.

Focusing on the theme of monetizing fitness and wellness spaces in hospitality, experts discussed ways these two industries can collaborate to meet shifting consumer preferences, generate revenue, and improve guest experiences.

The discussions addressed current trends, industry innovations, and the growing demand for transformational wellness experiences.

Strategies to position gyms and wellness areas as revenue-generating features rather than mere operational additions were also explored.

Florian Brauer, Senior Global Brand Manager at FIBO Global Fitness, highlighted the potential for synergy between fitness and hospitality, particularly in rapidly growing markets like Saudi Arabia.

“FIBO’s vision is to build a robust fitness industry and promote a healthier society.

With the rapid development of new hotels and resorts in the Kingdom, now is the ideal time to incorporate premium wellness experiences into hospitality offerings,” he stated.

Judith Cartwright, Founder and Managing Director of Black Coral Consulting, delivered a keynote emphasizing the revenue potential of fitness spaces.

“Hotels must change their perception—fitness facilities should be a core part of their commercial strategies.

These spaces can not only enhance guest satisfaction but also attract local paying members, transforming gyms into lifestyle and social hubs,” she said.

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

Using the event's venue as a benchmark, he remarked, “Core Riyadh represents the future of fitness-integrated hospitality. It’s more than a gym—it’s a holistic lifestyle space that blends exercise, relaxation, dining, and community into one seamless experience.”

Participants were introduced to FIBO 2025, taking place in Cologne from April 10–13, which will feature a dedicated hospitality track and further promote collaboration between these sectors.

The event also announced the launch of FIBO Saudi, scheduled to happen at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center from October 1–3, 2025.

This debut event will provide a platform for regional and global companies to forge partnerships and engage within Saudi Arabia’s flourishing fitness and hospitality scene.

Source: breakingtravelnews

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