Universal Studios is due to open a Nintendo theme park in Japan, with wristbands that allow visitors to compete against each other and track their interactions. With technology shaping the future of leisure, brands are looking to create immersive experiences that blend digital and physical.

Once perceived as an anti-social pursuit, gaming now offers people a way to connect with peers around the world through streaming, forums, and social media. How do these diverse communities go beyond gameplay to support individuals in their search for escapism and creative expression?

Will Disney+ steal Netflix’s throne? How do water-cooler moments impact platform choices? Are podcasts a threat to radio? And will shorter content reshape streaming habits? In this part of the 2020 Expert Outlook, we speak to four experts about how people are being informed and entertained.

Social media – in particular, image-led sites such as Instagram – and the rise in the ‘experience economy’ have had a massive impact on the modern hospitality industry. But why are shareable experiences so highly treasured and how has this changed the way people view and use hotels?