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 Gulf Cooperation Council is gearing up to become a major player in the booming global sports tourism industry, which is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2030. Khaleej Times
• [New] The game-changing deal marks the tech giant's biggest move into live sport yet and will see Apple become the one-stop shop for American F1 fans, with select races even streamed for free on the Apple TV app. The US Sun
• [New] The partnership between Apple TV and Formula 1 could set a precedent for future negotiations between streaming platforms and sports organizations. MARCA
• [New] Some note that Apple's entry into F1 broadcasting could further intensify competition among tech companies for live sports rights, as traditional broadcasters face growing challenges from digital platforms with deeper pockets and more advanced user engagement tools. Tekedia
• [New] On a global scale, the development of large-scale gaming resorts like Metropolitan Park could set a precedent for other cities and regions looking to capitalize on the booming demand for entertainment-based tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] As demand for sports experiences globally keeps on rising, Malaysia's strategic efforts will make it a prominent force in Southeast Asia's sporting tourism industry. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Looking ahead, the future of sports tourism in Malaysia will be shaped by innovation, technology, and sustainability. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The construction of new sports complexes and training facilities will enhance the appeal of Malaysia for sports teams, athletes, and sports tourists seeking top-tier destinations for training, competitions, and recreational sports. Travel And Tour World
• Bain & Company forecasts a 4% rise in US holiday retail sales for 2025, below the 10-year average, signalling cautious consumer sentiment. Fibre2Fashion
• Respondents' number one motivation to travel for leisure in 2026 is to rest and recharge. Meetings Today
• Business travel growth is not expected to exceed leisure travel until after 2026. Newsweek
• As 2026 approaches, 92.4% of Americans plan to take at least one leisure trip in 2026, with an average of 3.8 trips projected. Hotel News Resource
• AI traffic to retail sites will peak in the 10 days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. Retail Week
• Women's sports revenue will grow from $692 million in 2022 to $2.4 billion by 2025. Forbes
• The 2025 holiday shopping season will be less predictable and more spread out than in any other year. Forbes
• Over 15% of total holiday spending will come before November, per forecasts from PwC, making October critical for retailers aiming to capture early demand. Modern Retail
• Tariffs are expected to weigh on holiday spending, in general, with retail sales for the 2025 holiday season projected to rise only 1.2%. Modern Retail
• Domestic leisure travel is forecast to grow 1.9% to $895 billion in 2025. / USA U.S. Travel Association
• 41% of shoppers plan to start holiday buying in October or earlier (Shopify). Brand Vision Insights
• The global fantasy sports industry is booming, and the opportunities in 2025 are bigger than ever. algoscale
• With the fantasy sports industry expected to grow even bigger in 2025, the buzz around fantasy sports app development is louder than ever. algoscale
• Fantasy sports apps are no longer just a trend - they are the future of interactive sports entertainment, offering endless opportunities for engagement, monetization, and global expansion. Best Web Development Company | Application Development

Last updated: 22 October 2025