The number of fitness facilities in Taiwan has surged by a double-digit percentage annually in the past few years as the industry grows into another billion-dollar business, Sinyi Realty Inc (信義房屋) said in report on Wednesday.
As of August, there were 580 fitness centers nationwide, with aggregate revenue jumping 28.6 percent to NT$8.21 billion (US$269.96 million) in the first eight months from a year earlier, the broker said, citing government data.
There were 482 facilities at the end of last year, a 28 percent increase from 2017, a 26 percent gain from 2016 and up 21 percent from 2015, it said.
Revenue generated by those facilities totaled NT$10.08 billion last year, a 28 percent spike from a year earlier, it said.
Fitness centers and clubs have become important tenants for commercial space, with an average of 10 facilities a month joining the market since January last year, Sinyi Realty research manager Tseng Ching-der (曾進德) said.
Most are in Taipei and draw their income from membership charges — at 62 percent of the total — while 33 percent comes from private training courses and about 4 percent from admission fees, Sinyi said.
Chains remain major players, but more niche brands are bringing new business models, it said.
The DBS Foundation yesterday announced the launch of two flagship programs, “Silver Motion” and “Happier Caregiver, Healthier Seniors,” in partnership with CCILU Ltd, Hondao Senior Citizens’ Welfare Foundation and the Garden of Hope Foundation to help Taiwan face the challenges of a rapidly aging population. The foundation said it would invest S$4.91 million (US$3.8 million) over three years to foster inclusion and resilience in an aging society. “Aging may bring challenges, but it also brings opportunities. With many Asian markets rapidly becoming super-aged, the DBS Foundation is working with a regional ecosystem of like-minded partners across the private, public and people sectors
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