TUI unveils expansion into Japan with the signing of TUI Suneo Otaru
TUI introduces renowned leisure hotel portfolio to Japan
CEO Sebastian Ebel: “Market entry reinforces our global growth strategy”
New geographic milestone with signing of TUI’s easternmost hotel
TUI sets its sights on Japan: In a landmark move for its global growth, thegroup has signed its first hotel management agreement in the country, introducingTUI’s leisure hotel brandstothe Japanese market for the very first time. Planned for opening in 2029, the newly built TUI Suneo Otaru will deliver TUI’s signatureholiday experiences to one of Asia’s most sought-after leisure destinations.
“TUI Hotels & Resort’s entry into Japan underscores our long-term commitment to expanding holiday experiences in new destinations and engaging new customers, particularly across Asia,” says Sebastian Ebel, TUI Group CEO. “With increasingdemand for travel to Japan among our tour operator and cruise guests, expanding into the hotel sector represents a natural evolution of TUI’s presence in the region.”
Peter Krueger, member of the TUI Group Executive Board and CEO Holiday Experiences, adds: “The new addition in Otaru will become TUI Group’s easternmost hotel location to date. This signing marks just the beginning; we are actively exploring further opportunities to expand our footprintin Japan throughadditional locations and the launch of more TUI hotel brands.”
Located near JR Minami Otaru Station, TUI Suneo Otaru will beeasily accessible from Sapporo, just 35 minutes away by train. Guests will be within walking distance of Otaru’s most famous landmarks, including the Otaru Steam Clock Tower, the bustling Sakaimachi Shopping Street known for its handcrafted glassworks and local sweets, and the Otaru Canal, illuminated each evening by historical oil lamps. A picturesque port city in northern Japan, Otaru combines cultural heritage with year-round appeal. As one gateway to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition journeys, one of TUI’s cruise lines, the portoccasionally serves as both the point of departure and the welcoming return.
TUI Suneo Otaru will feature 50 well-designed rooms complemented by a welcoming lobby lounge, a restaurant, a bar, and a gym. Plans are already in place for future expansion, including additional rooms and public spaces to meet growing demand.The hotel will join TUI’s portfolio of over 400 leisure hotels and resorts worldwide. In Asia, the group hasestablished25 hotels across eight countries, with plans to more than double that number in the coming years.By the end of 2025, TUI continues to strengthen its presence with new hotel openings scheduled in Vietnam and China.
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About TUI SUNEO
TUI SUNEO offers welcoming, comfortable accommodations in sought-after destinations, providing excellent value for travellers seeking quality experiences. The brand currently has more than 30 hotels in Europe, North Africa and Asia. TUI SUNEO belongs to TUI Hotels & Resorts‘ leading leisure hotel portfolio with more than 400 hotels worldwide.
About TUI Group
The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its over 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 18 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with 125 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company. Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.
