German tour group TUI is looking to the African continent, as it seeks to grow its portfolio of hotels in attractive leisure destinations.
With growing demand from its mainly European customer base for a greater variety of holiday options, African destinations are coming up with the answers. As TUI sells package holidays, it can plan flights in combination with its growing hotel inventory, opening up new routes and attracting new accommodation partners.
Increasing openings in Africa
In the second quarter of 2025, the group already launched two new hotels in Africa. In Egypt, the TUI Blue Samaya joined the group’s premium portfolio. Built in the growing destination of Marsa Alam, the hotel has 143 rooms, and an aqua park.
And in Tunisia, TUI Suneo Palm Beach Skanes has opened, delivering great value for money for families, with its all-inclusive offering. The hotel has 294 rooms, and a wide range of sports and entertainment choices for guests.
Speaking at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, TUI Hotels & Resorts managing director Artur Gerber said TUI is only getting started: “Together with our long-standing joint venture partners, we have more than 20 hotels in our pipeline that will open in Africa in the coming months and years. We already have a strong presence in North Africa, the Cape Verde Islands and Zanzibar, but we are convinced that other destinations can also benefit from our strong leisure hotel brands.”
That pipeline includes the first hotel in Gambia for TUI’s lifestyle brand, TUI Blue. A 140 room resort on Kotu Beach will open in late 2025. And there are also plans for the brand to add its first destination in Cote d’Ivoire, which is expected to open in 2027. In Kenya, preparations are under way for TUI Blue Watamu, a 117 room resort due to open in autumn 2026.
TUI has 12 leisure hotel brands, serving different segments of the market, from value for money to lifestyle and luxury, and including the ever more popular all-inclusive resort offering. The latest addition to its brand portfolio is The Mora, launched in 2024 in the upscale market segment. A year on from the brand’s launch in Tanzania, Mora Zanzibar has delivered a great experience, according to highly scoring guest reviews.
Building the package holiday brand
“We are very proud of this achievement and look forward to introducing more carefully selected The Mora hotels across Africa,” said Gerber. Currently, TUI has 97 hotels across Africa, and it will shortly be celebrating the milestone of 100.
Away from Africa, TUI is growing its TUI Blue hotel brand across Asia. In autumn 2025, the group willl open its third TUI Blue hotel in Vietnam, for example; TUI Blue Han River will have 250 rooms. Also opening soon will be TUI Blue Stardream Lake, in Cambodia, while another hotel in Cambodia, in Koh Kong, is also in planning.
