New TUI Suneo Otaru to bring leisure holiday experiences to Japan starting in 2029
(NEWS) HANOVER, 2025-Sep-05 — /Travel PR News/ — TUI Group has announced its entry into the Japanese market with the signing of its first hotel management agreement in the country, marking a new milestone in the company’s global expansion. The newly built TUI Suneo Otaru, scheduled to open in 2029, will introduce the group’s leisure hotel portfolio to Japan for the first time. Located near JR Minami Otaru Station and just 35 minutes from Sapporo, the property will provide guests with convenient access to Otaru’s cultural landmarks, including the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Shopping Street. The hotel will feature 50 rooms along with a restaurant, bar, gym, and communal spaces, with plans for further expansion.
TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel highlighted that the move reflects strong demand for Japan from the company’s tour operator and cruise customers and strengthens TUI’s positioning in Asia. Peter Krueger, Executive Board member and CEO Holiday Experiences, emphasized that the Otaru hotel will be the group’s easternmost property to date and a starting point for additional expansion in Japan. With more than 400 hotels worldwide and 25 already established in Asia, TUI plans to significantly increase its regional footprint with upcoming openings in Vietnam and China. The signing of TUI Suneo Otaru underscores the company’s commitment to long-term growth, cultural engagement, and the creation of high-quality holiday experiences in new destinations.
TUI Group’s expansion into Japan follows a strong wave of growth across Asia, where the company has recently opened several new properties under its TUI Blue brand. In August 2025, TUI unveiled TUI Blue Angkor Grace in Siem Reap, Cambodia, its second hotel in the country, offering 151 rooms with a focus on wellness experiences and community partnerships near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. The company’s entry into Japan with the upcoming TUI Suneo Otaru in 2029 reflects this broader strategy to capture growing demand from Asian and international travellers for authentic and high-quality holiday experiences.
