The approximately 38-kilometer road project covering four main arteries and 12 hotel connection roads in Belek has been completed. Investments, along with works on wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, indicate a broader infrastructure transformation that will support the destination's high tourism capacity.
A shipment of beer worth approximately $70,000 was lost due to two fraudulent pickups in California.
In WineCap's 2026 ranking, 24 of the world's most expensive 25 active traded fine wine brands came from Burgundy.
The 60,000 square meter Agro Tourism Project established by the Arnavutköy Municipality in Dursunköy has opened for visitors. In the area where approximately 40,000 square meters are allocated for production, strawberry, lavender, and vegetable gardens; product picking experiences, agricultural workshops, a café, children's areas, and direct product sales are brought together. The model has the potential to link agricultural production to day-trip tourism and gastronomy spending right next to a large market like Istanbul. However, its true success will be measured not by visitor numbers but by producer income, local supply, and the ability to generate repeat visits.
Food & Wine’s 2026 Advent Calendar selection shows that premium food and beverage brands are starting their holiday sales period earlier than ever, from jam to chocolate, tea to wine and whiskey.
Yum! Brands has transferred Pizza Hut's operations outside mainland China to LongRange Capital for approximately $1.5 billion.
Compagnia del Gusto Holding has acquired 100% of the wine and beverage delivery platform Winelivery.
As of September 1, 2026, the biometric application for national visa applications from Turkey to Germany has changed. According to the official announcement from iDATA, fingerprints will be taken from all D visa applicants aged 6 and older, and these individuals will need to be present in person for the process. The new rule particularly affects the appointment planning of families applying for long-term stays in Germany for family reunification, education, vocational training, and work purposes. The age limit of 12 for Schengen visas continues as a separate application.
Turkish Airlines has launched daily flights on the Istanbul–Kuwait route as of September 1, 2026, with seven weekly flights. Flight TK770 departs Istanbul at 02:00 and arrives in Kuwait at 05:40, while TK771 leaves Kuwait at 06:35 and arrives in Istanbul at 10:25. The published schedule from Kuwait Airport shows daily operations until October 24, aiming to strengthen onward connections via Istanbul.
The scenario of delisting Wendy’s that came up in August has been shelved for now. It is reported that Trian Fund Management, which holds about 16% of the company, is not currently preparing an offer. While the low valuation of Wendy’s shares may seem like an opportunity for buyers, the 7% decline in same-store sales in the U.S., issues in the franchise economy, and the ongoing need for transformation remind us of an important reality in restaurant acquisitions: a cheap brand does not mean a low-risk investment.
The regulation that came into effect on August 31, 2026, exempted certain documented tourism facilities located in areas designated solely for commercial use before June 1, 2019, from the existing prohibition on condominium and property rights. However, the regulation does not cover all tourism facilities; the date, zoning plan, document status, and ownership must all belong to the same owner.
The catamaran named Filo Jet, traveling from Girne to Mersin Taşucu, capsized off the coast of Girne on August 30. While 241 of the 267 passengers and crew were rescued, it was reported that eight people lost their lives and search efforts are ongoing for 18 others. The cause of the sinking has not yet been determined; an investigation is underway regarding the captain and crew.
Coşkun Yılmaz, President of the Turkish Manuscripts Institution, was appointed as Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism by a Presidential decree dated August 31, 2026. The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism will closely monitor Yılmaz's new position, particularly in terms of cultural policies and heritage institutions.
Japan has introduced temporary flexibility in some mandatory labeling information to expedite food supply in areas affected by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake. However, inspections regarding allergen information and expiration dates continue. The regulation shows that legislation can be relaxed during a crisis, but critical thresholds for food safety must be preserved.
Due to the 39th International Çanakkale Strait Swimming Competition, the Çanakkale–Eceabat and Çanakkale–Kilitbahir ferry services will be temporarily suspended on the morning of August 30. A special traffic arrangement will be implemented in the strait between 08:00 and 11:00, and the resumption of services will depend on the confirmation that the last athlete has exited the water. Additional services are planned for the Kabatepe–Gökçeada line on the same day to accommodate the expected crowd.
Since August 26, professional tour guide Elena Öksüz has been unreachable following the major flood disaster on the Nepal-China border. TUREB and the Istanbul Tourist Guides Chamber announced that they are in coordination with her family and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The disaster has also brought to light the importance of emergency communication plans for guides and tour operators working in remote destinations.
A plan change that could allow hotel, shopping mall, office, and market use for a 6,141 square meter public land designated as a fire station in Ayazağa, Sarıyer is on the agenda. IBB units objected to the plan citing the lack of an alternative fire station in the area, fire risk, and traffic load in Cendere Valley.
Ten tombs have been uncovered during rescue excavations in the necropolis of the ancient city of Aigeai in Yumurtalık, Adana. The findings not only provide new data regarding the Hellenistic and Roman periods of the city; once restoration is completed, it could also expand Yumurtalık's cultural tourism offerings.
The Dutch aviation authority has imposed administrative sanctions on DHL, El Al, and Turkish Airlines for operating flights at Schiphol that do not comply with noise limits during nighttime hours. New violations could incur fines of up to 17,000 euros per incident.
Hundreds of foreign tourists are unaccounted for following a major flood and landslide disaster on the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster has severely affected trekking and pilgrimage routes, as well as roads, bridges, and tourism operations in the region.
Blaze Pizza has appointed Tracy Stockard, who has a background with McDonald's and Steak 'n Shake, as Chief Marketing Officer.
McDonald’s is bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets to U.S. menus on September 1.
Inspire Brands has appointed Ahmed Awadallah as the new Chief Operating Officer of Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars. Awadallah was previously the Managing Director and COO at Espresso House Group, which has over 500 locations; he also held operational leadership roles at Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut Europe. The operational aspect of the appointment is noteworthy. Awadallah's new responsibilities encompass not only restaurant operations but also global franchising, brand experience, and technology-driven efficiency. This structure indicates that the COO role in large restaurant chains has evolved from standard operational oversight to a position that manages both the franchise system and digital transformation together.
Cornwall Council has approved the establishment of a new whiskey distillery at the historic Bodmin Jail complex in England. The project includes the reuse of the Grade II listed Chaplaincy and Governor’s House buildings for hospitality and visitor functions, alongside the new distillery building. Planning documents indicate that the distillery is designed not as an independent facility but as part of the existing Bodmin Jail visitor experience. According to Spirit Capital’s plan, whiskey will be produced using grains grown in Cornwall in a “grain-to-glass” process, with maturation of the products also taking place on-site. Gin and vodka production is also anticipated. The projected investment of approximately £80 million and the creation of 15 permanent jobs are expectations of the company still in the project phase.
Sazerac has purchased the Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, Kentucky. The facility, which opened in 2024, spans approximately 210 acres and includes two column stills and two 20,000 ft² barrel warehouses, adding to Sazerac's production network in Kentucky. The company announced that the facility will provide additional production capacity and new hiring will take place. According to independent sources, Sazerac acquired the facility for approximately $20 million at a court-supervised auction in June. The previous operator, Staghorn, developed the facility, which closed in 2025 after about a year of operation and entered receivership due to over $26 million in debt.
The total tax expenses of Nigeria's three major breweries, Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria, and International Breweries, rose to 112.87 billion naira in the first half of 2026. This is an increase of approximately 58% compared to 71.39 billion naira in the same period a year ago. The high costs of energy, diesel, gas, transportation, and distribution are bringing the price pressure back to the forefront. However, the situation is not solely about rising costs. The total revenues of the three major producers reached approximately 1.4 trillion naira in H1 2026, showing improvements in profitability indicators as well. Therefore, a price increase is not an inevitable outcome; it will depend on how much of the costs producers can absorb and how much pricing discipline they will apply to maintain volume.
A 20% business rates discount set to be implemented in the UK for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues from April 2027 is expected to create new investment opportunities for businesses. According to research by money.co.uk, the total resources available for reinvestment across the sector could reach approximately £47.2 million. 57% of 500 hospitality operators surveyed plan to reinvest the savings directly into their businesses, while 43% believe the discount will increase their likelihood of borrowing to grow. However, this figure is not actual investment. The government's official estimate suggests that around 32,000 businesses will benefit from the scheme, with a typical pub saving approximately £1,100 per year. Additionally, the 20% discount does not generally cover restaurants and hotels.
Anheuser-Busch has announced that it will invest 13 million dollars in its Baldwinsville production facility in New York state. The funds will be used to increase Michelob ULTRA production, create new production capacity for Cutwater, and upgrade existing can and bottle lines. Another aspect of the investment is the workforce. The company will open a new technical skills training center at the facility; employees will receive training in mechanical, electrical, digital, and operational areas. The project is part of Anheuser-Busch's 600 million dollar Brewing Futures investment program aimed at U.S. operations during the 2025–2026 period.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched two separate investigations into whether mandatory fees were shown to customers early enough regarding Virgin Atlantic and Trainline. The Virgin Atlantic Holidays case examines resort fees and local taxes, while the Trainline case investigates whether mandatory fees added to train and bus tickets were included in the initially displayed total price. In the UK, adding mandatory fees later in the purchasing process, known as "drip pricing," has been explicitly banned since April 6, 2025. If a violation is detected, the CMA can impose fines of up to 10% of global revenues on companies and can order refunds to consumers.
Foodservice and material handling equipment manufacturer New Age Industrial has promoted Tom Sharp to President of Sales & Marketing and Brock Miller to Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Sharp was previously the Vice President of Sales and led the supermarket sales division; Miller will take over the supermarket sales division while managing the integrated sales-marketing strategy in his new role. Both executives are shareholders in the company, and Miller’s background in product design-engineering indicates that the change is not limited to the sales organization. The new structure aims to align product development, distributor support, and market expansion more closely. These goals are based on the company’s statement; how the results will reflect on operational and sales performance will be seen over time.
Italian premium spirits producer Altamura Distilleries has appointed Kevin Schmudde to lead its US operations. In his new role, Schmudde will manage the company's long-term commercial strategy, distributor and retailer relationships, state-based expansion, and the formation of the national sales team. Schmudde has over 20 years of experience in the beverage industry, holding senior positions at companies such as Constellation Brands, Palm Bay International, and Brown-Forman, as well as serving as CEO of Kindred Beer. Altamura's existing distributor network in the US is listed on the company's own page, covering various states from California to New York and Texas to Tennessee.
A fire broke out in the laundry section of a hotel on Dolapdere Taksim Street in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, on the morning of August 19. Due to heavy smoke, 17 guests in the hotel were evacuated with the help of teams, and there were no casualties or injuries reported. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The incident serves as a reminder that fire safety in accommodation establishments is not limited to guest rooms and escape stairs. Back-office areas such as laundries, kitchens, technical spaces, and storage must also be part of the same safety system in terms of maintenance, detection, evacuation, and staff training. Accommodation facilities in Turkey are also subject to special provisions under the Regulation on the Fire Protection of Buildings.
The 3rd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled in a case brought by a tenant claiming to have paid more than the increase stipulated in the contract that the request cannot be rejected solely due to incorrect legal terminology. The High Court stated that the alleged excess rent payments should be examined as a claim for receivables under general provisions without a legal reason. The decision is also significant for restaurants, cafes, hotels, and tourism businesses operating in rented properties. However, the decision does not create an automatic right to refund. The claim of overpayment must be proven through the contract, bank records, agreements between the parties, and the conditions under which the payment was made.
Corendon Airlines has restructured its management, appointing COO Atılay Batu as Accountable Manager. Batu will ultimately be responsible for ensuring that the company's operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations. The Training, Ground Operations, Flight Operations, and Technical departments are also now under Batu's oversight. Yıldıray Karaer, who is handing over the Accountable Manager role, will continue as the Chairman of the Board of Corendon Airlines Group Companies. The new structure clearly separates the responsibilities of daily airline operations from strategic management at the group level.
U.S.-based fast-casual chain Dog Haus has strengthened its marketing organization while reshaping its franchise growth model. The company appointed James Field as Chief Marketing Officer and promoted CJ Ramirez to the newly created Chief Experience Officer role. Clare Baños, Jeremy Fletcher, and Catalina Uribe also joined the management team in marketing, innovation, creative, and digital sales. A significant portion of the new team has experience from Jersey Mike’s. This choice aligns with the transformation initiated by Dog Haus, which included former Jersey Mike’s franchise operators Chris Rigassio and Garen Khodaverdian in upper management. As the brand attempts to transition from approximately 60 U.S. locations to a broader franchise network, it is placing its marketing organization at the center of its growth model.
Starbucks has issued a new WARN notice affecting 224 employees based in Seattle. However, the company states that this is not a new round of layoffs; rather, it is a continuation of the restructuring announced in May, which involves relocating certain corporate functions to Nashville. The notice indicates that 104 positions will be affected by organizational changes, while approximately 120 employees will leave the company as they did not accept the offer to relocate to Nashville. This development shows that Starbucks is continuing its approach to streamline its headquarters and support organization while increasing store investments as part of its “Back to Starbucks” strategy. The company's SEC filings also confirm that the 2026 restructuring includes support organization, transfer of functions to Nashville, and cost reduction measures.
Starting with the 2026 tax year, employers in the U.S. are required to separately report the eligible overtime amounts defined as "qualified overtime compensation" on their employees' tax documents. This change particularly necessitates more detailed management of payroll systems, shift records, and overtime calculations in the restaurant sector, where the hourly worker ratio is high. According to the IRS, the entire tax deduction does not cover overtime pay; it generally considers the portion of the "time-and-a-half" pay that exceeds the normal wage, which is mandated under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Therefore, this issue is not limited to the tax season for restaurant businesses; it also concerns the accuracy of employee classification, time records, and payroll infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump has delayed the planned 50% additional tariff on certain products from Canada by three days. While alcoholic beverages are one of the key issues in the trade dispute, US distillers report that their exports have dropped by more than 70% due to sales bans in Canada. Although the temporary delay gives the sector some breathing room, a permanent solution is still not in sight.
The MICHELIN Guide Texas selection for 2026 will be announced on October 8 via a press release instead of a physical ceremony. Texas was included in the guide in 2024 with a total of $2.7 million three-year marketing agreement with Travel Texas and the tourism agencies of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Michelin states that restaurant selections are made independently by anonymous inspectors and that agreements with tourism agencies only cover marketing and promotional activities. While the first agreement will conclude at the end of 2026, a renewal decision for the new period has not yet been publicly announced.
Philz Coffee has appointed Mark Johnson, who has over 30 years of operational experience, as Chief Operating Officer – Retail. Johnson spent the last 12 years at California Fish Grill, where he was involved in scaling operations during the brand's expansion process. Following the Freeman Spogli investment, Philz plans to grow in new stores, wholesale, and digital channels; by summer 2026, the number of stores is expected to reach 83. The new COO's critical task will be to maintain speed, training, and consistency in guest experience while transitioning Philz's individually crafted personalized coffee model to a broader store network.
In recent weeks, seven hotels in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean have appointed new general managers. The appointments show that there is not a single leadership mold: The Cape and Pyrmont Curaçao are leaning towards international resort and opening experience, while River Inn of Harbor Town promoted an eight-year employee from within; Hotel Longmont preferred a manager with strong local connections. The common point is that the GM role is now responsible not only for room operations but also for F&B, team development, openings, commercial performance, and destination experience.
JBS has made a new offer to purchase the remaining shares of Pilgrim’s Pride, in which it currently holds approximately 82%. If the transaction is completed, Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the largest poultry producers in the U.S., will be delisted and fully integrated into JBS.
Hospitality Ventures Management Group has appointed Pete Sams as President. Sams was previously involved with a global portfolio of over 450 hotels at Highgate; he also served as COO at Davidson Hospitality Group and Peregrine Hospitality. HVMG currently operates 52 hotels and one convention center across 17 states. This appointment is a remarkable leadership move demonstrating how experience in third-party hotel management can be utilized in a more agile platform, focusing on scale, turnaround, and owner value creation.
Wendy’s is reinstating the Chief Operating Officer role instead of filling the U.S. presidency position following the departure of U.S. President Pete Suerken on August 31. The change comes during a period when same-restaurant sales in the U.S. fell by 7% in the second quarter, global system sales declined by 6.5%, and the company withdrew its 2026 outlook. CEO Bob Wright’s turnaround approach focuses on menu and marketing, as well as operational standards, employee training, digital systems, and franchisee economics.
Diageo, the owner of Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Baileys, saw its average full-time employee count drop from 29,860 to 27,938 in FY2026. Under CEO Sir Dave Lewis, the company is streamlining its organizational structure, restructuring some management layers, and shifting investment priorities towards stronger categories like Guinness and ready-to-drink beverages as it prepares for a three-year, $1 billion cost-cutting program. However, it is not possible to directly classify the entire decrease of 1,922 employees as 'layoffs' based solely on public data.
Circana's Q2 2026 Australia foodservice assessment shows that despite pressure on household budgets, both total spending and visit traffic have increased. While the public summary does not share details of the channels and categories driving growth, previous Circana data indicates that QSR, promotional visits, and more accessible consumption moments are significant parts of market resilience. The message for businesses is clear: price increases alone are not a growth strategy; perceived value, the right dayparting, and the right offer traffic are becoming more critical in maintaining growth.