Global Scans · Leisure · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Online retailing will be one of the fastest growing channels between 2015 and 2019 as individuals do not have much time for leisure and seek convenience. Entertainment will continue to shift away from traditional broadcast media and print to reality augmented and deeply personalised content. The occupations with the largest new employment growth will be managers, professional and technical jobs, and caring and leisure occupations. Many middle-class professionals will be outsourced to machines within the next few decades leaving workers with more leisure time than they have ever experienced.

• [New] The domestic tourism surge is expected to account for $27 billion, a direct result of Chinese citizens' preference for exploring local attractions instead of spending their leisure budgets overseas. Travel And Tour World
• [New] A total of 81% of winter enthusiasts are planning or thinking of planning a snowsports vacation for the 2025-26 season. SnowBrains
• [New] Water sports enthusiasts will be in their element when they visit the most water-rich federal state in Germany. Deutsche Zentrale fur Tourismus e.V.
• [New] Streaming services will account for a fifth of global sports rights spending - approximately US$ 12.5 billion - in 2025. MIT OpenCourseWare
• Cloud investment by travel and leisure companies will reach $24.4bn in 2028, up from $12.3bn in 2024. Verdict
• Investments in experiential entertainment are expected to exceed US$ 350 billion by 2030. MIT OpenCourseWare
• Drone-driven entertainment is projected to reach $163.6 B by 2030, led by AI, 5G, and AR-enabled immersive storytelling. Ainvest
• The global women's soccer fan base is on track to grow by nearly 40% by 2030, making it one of the top five most-followed sports on the planet. Sports Business Journal
• In 2025, the rise of women's sports has created a unique opportunity for businesses and startups to develop fantasy sports apps specifically tailored to women's leagues like the NWSL, WNBA, Women's Cricket, and more. Vinfotech
• Globally, respondents ranked workforce shortages as their number eight future risk, and for several industries it ranked even higher among their top 10 future risks: healthcare; transportation and logistics; construction and real estate; hospitality, travel and leisure; and professional services. Aon
• Heatwaves across the U.S. and Europe could drive a trend of travelers seeking cooler destinations and leisure activities. Morgan Stanley
• The high-speed rail between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will pass through key tourist attractions like Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, making it easier for visitors to explore the UAE's cultural and entertainment offerings. Hammer Mindset
• Amid the proliferation of streaming apps and wide distribution of sports across platforms, Disney and Fox Corp. announced Monday that they will offer a combined streaming bundle for $40 a month. The Mercury News
• As the U.S. nears a rate cut, consumer discretionary names like DKNG - already riding a digital sports betting boom - could see even more wallet share. investing.com
• DraftKings, a leader in online sports betting and iGaming, is a high-growth stock that could see significant upside if the Fed cuts rates. investing.com
• In December, Missouri is expected to launch both online and in-person sports betting. Play USA
• Only one state is on track to launch online sports betting-Missouri-and only Illinois has shown any real potential to legalize online casinos. Play USA
• Road users have been warned to prepare for long delays in August 2025 bank holiday, with almost 17.6 million leisure journeys expected across England and Wales. Business Motoring
• Millions of drivers are expected to face long delays on major routes across the UK in August 2025 bank holiday period, with an estimated 17.6 million car trips anticipated. The Independent
• 58% of Millennials plan to bring their extended family on vacation in 2025, as opposed to 31% of their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts. Condor Ferries

Last updated: 10 September 2025