A Champagne house treating itself to a grand cru in Burgundy, an American won over by the bill at a Lyon bouchon, rum climbing the bar rankings… Today’s hospitality news, 16 August 2026, travels through the vineyards as much as along the beaches.
🇫🇷 National
🍇 Acquisition | The Pierre Damoy wine estate, a Burgundian family business spanning five generations, has been bought by the Roederer group for an estimated €300–500 million. Led by Frédéric Rouzaud, the deal marks the Champagne group’s first foothold in Burgundy, following previous expansions into Provence, the Côtes-du-Rhône, Bordeaux and California. #Burgundy #Vineyard #France
🍽️ Buzz | An American tourist visiting Lyon caused a stir on social media after sharing the bill from his meal at a bouchon in Vieux Lyon: €86.40 for four glasses of wine, two starters and two generous main courses. Won over by Lyonnais cuisine, he ended his post with a pointed dig at prices charged in the United States. 👉 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10175071623615644&set=a.10153599356205644&type=3&ref=embed_post #Lyon #Gastronomy #Buzz
🏛️ Heritage | In Vittel, the Hôtel des Thermes has officially been listed as a Historic Monument, removing the last uncertainty hanging over its acquisition by De Beaune Investissement. Interior refurbishment works, begun in February 2023, can now finally get under way. #Vittel #Heritage #Refurbishment
⚠️ Dispute | The Hôtel-Restaurant & Spa Chez Julien, a well-known establishment in the Bruche valley (Bas-Rhin), has been given formal notice by the prefecture to regularise works carried out on more than 4,220 m² of wetland. The establishment could be required to restore the site to its original condition. #BasRhin #Regulation #Environment
🌍 International
✨ Appointment | Adrian Schmied takes charge of Switzerland Tourism’s “Greater China” market, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. A Mandarin speaker, this former Jungfraubahnen and London-based Touraxis executive brings dual commercial and cultural expertise to this strategic market. #SwitzerlandTourism #China #Appointment
✨ Appointment | Francesca Stacchiotti has been named Chief People, Culture & Transformation Officer of Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, a partner of Orient Express and Arsenale on La Dolce Vita Orient Express. She brings HR experience gained at Trenitalia, Mercitalia Logistics, INWIT and TIM. #Italy #OrientExpress #HR
🏨 Reopening | On Bintan’s longest beach, an hour from Singapore, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon unveils a new chapter with 408 rooms and suites, six dining concepts and the Soñada Beach Club, the island’s largest multi-storey beach club. Two exclusive packages are on offer until 30 November 2026. #Indonesia #Bintan #Mövenpick
🥃 Trend | To mark International Rum Day on 16 August, Spain’s spirits industry is putting the spotlight on a spirit that already accounts for 15.3% of spirits sales in the country. The fourth-largest category by volume, rum is establishing itself as a pillar of the horeca channel and premium mixology. #Spain #Rum #Horeca
🏨 Project | The Djalab group is pressing ahead with construction of the El Houria hotel, a future 5-star property in Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria, complemented by two function rooms dedicated to private and business events. The project aims to strengthen the region’s upmarket tourism offering. #Algeria #SidiBelAbbes #Opening
🏖️ Bookings open | Royalton Hotels & Resorts has opened bookings for the Royalton Vessence Cancun, a new 376-suite all-inclusive Autograph Collection property in Cancún’s hotel zone, due to open on 1 March 2027. The property introduces its “Multi Bed Suites”, designed for families and groups. #Mexico #Cancun #Royalton
