The FIFA 2026 group stage continued to deliver exciting results as Egypt registered a commanding three-goal win over New Zealand in their Group G encounter, strengthening their position in the tournament standings.

In another closely contested fixture, Uruguay and Cabo Verde played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group H, with both teams sharing the points after a competitive contest.

Alongside the action on the pitch, hospitality experts are closely analysing the business impact of the tournament and how it compares with previous editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Industry observers note that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, remains an unusual benchmark when evaluating potential hospitality gains. While overall sales during the tournament period increased by 18.6 per cent, the timing of the competition played a major role in those figures. Held during November and December, the tournament coincided with the festive season, traditionally one of the busiest periods for restaurants, pubs, and hospitality businesses.

Interestingly, days without football matches recorded a stronger sales increase of 27.0 per cent, outperforming match days. The highest trading day during the tournament delivered a 50.8 per cent rise in sales and occurred on a December Thursday that was not directly linked to football activity.

Data also showed that home nation match days generated an average increase of 12.7 per cent, lower than the overall tournament average. Factors such as colder weather and daytime kick-off schedules may have encouraged fans to stay at home rather than visit hospitality venues.

The outlook for FIFA 2026 is significantly different. The tournament is taking place during the summer months in UK, with evening kick-offs expected to align with prime-time viewing hours in key markets. Industry experts believe these conditions are more comparable to Euro 2024 than the Qatar World Cup.

As a result, hospitality businesses across the United Kingdom are viewing a projected group-stage uplift of 10 to 15 per cent as a more realistic benchmark for performance during the tournament. With favourable weather, stronger social viewing opportunities, and increased outdoor dining activity, many operators are optimistic about the commercial opportunities that FIFA 2026 could generate.

As the competition progresses, both football fans and hospitality businesses will be watching closely to see how the tournament influences consumer behaviour and venue performance across key markets.

This summer, The Hari Hong Kong is giving guests two very different reasons to look forward to the weekend. The hotel is showcasing distinct brunch experiences at Lucciola and Zoku & The Terrace, offering diners a choice between classic Italian cuisine and contemporary Japanese flavours.

At Lucciola, guests can enjoy a relaxed brunch experience in a dining space featuring warm amber and green tones, timber-lined interiors, and natural daylight. The menu begins with a selection of antipasti before moving on to seasonal dishes that celebrate traditional Italian cooking. Highlights include sauteed black mussels with parsley and garlic, roasted lamb T-bone, and Lucciola's signature tiramisu.

 The brunch includes 90 minutes of free-flow red, white, and sparkling wine. Guests can also upgrade their experience with a newly extended two-hour free-flow Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne is available with a special price.

For those seeking a different culinary experience, Zoku and its adjoining outdoor venue, The Terrace, present a Japanese-inspired brunch concept. Known for its stylish interiors featuring leather booths, crimson velvet seating, and an origami-inspired ceiling, Zoku offers a modern setting, while The Terrace overlooks Wan Chai and features lush greenery alongside a striking triple-height living wall.

The brunch begins with "Otoshi: The Izakaya Way," a curated selection of Japanese snacks, followed by an assorted sashimi platter featuring seasonal seafood. Guests can then choose from a range of mains and desserts, with standout dishes including truffle Yaki soba and A-4 Miyazaki Wagyu steak.

 The Zoku & The Terrace brunch includes free-flow beverages. Diners can further enhance their experience with a two-hour free-flow package featuring Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne and premium sake for an additional price per person.

Commenting on the concept, Francesco Gava, Director of Food & Beverage at The Hari Hong Kong, said, "One of the things we love about our weekend brunches is that they offer two completely different experiences under the one roof. Some guests are drawn to the warmth and conviviality of our Italian brunch, yet others prefer contemporary Japanese flavours with sake at Zoku & The Terrace.”

Weekend Brunch is available at Lucciola every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, while Zoku & The Terrace welcomes guests on Saturdays and public holidays. Both brunch experiences are served between 12:00pm and 4:30pm, with last orders at 2:30pm. Menu items are subject to seasonal rotation, ensuring a fresh dining experience throughout the year. 

A major fire broke out at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, on Friday, claiming the life of one tourist and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests.

According to DAEH emergency services, the victim was a 46-year-old Italian tourist. Three individuals were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while six others received medical assistance at the resort. At the time of the incident, the property was operating at 84 per cent occupancy.

Drone footage from the scene showed flames spreading across multiple buildings within the beachfront resort, with thick black smoke rising into the sky. Emergency teams responded quickly and worked to bring the situation under control.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. However, preliminary findings indicate that strong winds and the presence of flammable thatched roofs on some of the resort buildings may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that the fire was successfully contained and that all guests were relocated to other hotels. Officials also stated that tourism activities in Bayahibe and nearby areas were not affected by the incident.

Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met the victim's husband at the hospital. The Italian embassy is assisting approximately 285 Italian tourists who were staying at the resort or nearby properties. Support measures include issuing emergency passports to travellers whose documents were lost in the fire and arranging return flights where required.

Bayahibe is a popular Caribbean resort destination known for its beaches and clear waters, attracting visitors from around the world throughout the year.

In a statement, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said that hotel teams safely evacuated guests and staff during the emergency. The company confirmed the death of one guest and stated, "We send our thoughts to the family while we await autopsy results to determine the cause."

The hotel, which is independently owned and operated under the Wyndham brand, has been temporarily closed and will remain shut until further notice as investigations continue.