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] Sports tourism is projected to reach $2.1 trillion globally by 2030 and already accounts for 10% of total global tourism spending. Skift
• [New] Among the most dominant themed entertainment trends in 2025 and 2026 is the integration of cutting-edge technology from design and engineering to every stage of the park experience. ICM Project
• [New] All ESPN sports content will be available to YouTube TV base plan subscribers for no additional cost by the end of 2026. Business Insider
• [New] A global sporting hub The Council approved the Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, developed by the Dubai Sports Council, which aims to make Dubai the world's leading sports hub. Government of Dubai Media Office
• [New] Fantasy sports in India is a booming industry with massive revenue potential, but building a successful app in 2025 requires careful planning, compliance, and the right tech partner. Appristine
• [New] Holiday travel in 2025 will be shaped by a complex weave of economic circumstances and familial priorities, influencing how and where people celebrate. Experiences News and Trends
• [New] Economic realities and family responsibilities are increasingly dictating how Americans plan their holiday travels for the season spanning Thanksgiving to New Year's Day in 2025. Experiences News and Trends
• [New] With a huge retail footprint, coupled with growing e-commerce penetration, Walmart will both benefit from online and in-store holiday spending. TFX
• [New] As Gartner reports, by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour per day in the metaverse for work, shopping, education, or entertainment. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] In 2026, travelers are expected to prioritize leisure over business. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Just as importantly, Benin embraces innovation and recognises the economic and diplomatic potential of sports as a driver of global engagement. Forbes
• [New] The Eastleigh Voice spent time on the ground to explore how cricket, often perceived as a niche sport in Kenya, is transforming children's lives through discipline, opportunity, and character-building. The Eastleigh Voice
• [New] In 2025, Long Island Rail Road will have holiday lights trains. Yahoo News
• [New] Holiday travelers in the United States avoiding widespread disruptive weather ahead of Thanksgiving might not be so fortunate during their post-holiday journeys. CNN
• [New] Shoppers can expect new daily deal drops and deep discounts, up to 50% off Amazon devices, artificial Christmas trees, electronics, kitchen appliances, premium beauty, and holiday decor. NBC Chicago
• [New] China will deepen exchanges in education, sports, youth, media, and subnational cooperation, and continue to provide assistance for Tonga's economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation. chinadailyhk
• [New] Missouri will become the 29th U.S. state where DraftKings offers sports wagering, in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Ontario, Canada. Covers.com
• [New] Accenture's annual Holiday Shopping Survey of more than 7,500 shoppers in 10 countries, conducted online between August and September in 2025, indicated that 77% will shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. WWD
• [New] As 2026 draws near, Europe's holiday activities are turning into more individualised and sustainable experiences and will become more immersive as well. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The booming sports industry has established new opportunities for future-oriented technologies such as smart stadiums, crowd sentiment analysis, and eSports in North America. Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence (KSI)
• [New] The organization forecasts holiday sales will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% above last year's holiday season and will exceed $1 trillion in sales for the first time. NACS Daily

Last updated: 10 December 2025