26 Sep

TUI’s Adding Four New Hotels to Their Blue Collection in 2026 | JLT Daily Dispatch

TUI's Adding Four New Hotels to Their Blue Collection in 2026 | JLT Daily Dispatch

TUI Blue has quietly announced something worth knowing about: four new hotels opening across Europe in spring 2026.

While it might seem early to think about next year’s holidays, these properties offer something interesting for agents who like to stay ahead of the curve.

TL;DR

  • Four new TUI Blue hotels opening in spring 2026 across Sardinia, Spain, and Turkey’s Aegean coast
  • Positioned in the premium-accessible market — quality without the luxury price tag
  • Advance bookings available now for clients planning 2026 holidays
  • Turkey’s Aegean coast offers a quieter alternative to the busy Mediterranean side
  • 8-month booking window gives agents time to have relaxed planning conversations

What’s Opening Where

Sardinia: Family-Focused Comfort

TUI Blue Pardu opens in May 2026 with 145 rooms. It’s designed with families in mind — there’s a dedicated kids’ club, sports facilities including tennis and football, and easy access to local Sardinian villages. The kind of place where parents might actually get to finish a conversation.

Costa del Sol: Adults-Only Retreat

TUI Blue Yaramar arrives in Fuengirola, also in May 2026. This 225-room property is adults-only, sitting right on the beachfront with access to a 10-kilometre promenade. Think peaceful mornings and uninterrupted sunset drinks.

Turkey: Two Different Experiences

TUI’s opening TUI Blue Maviss in Belek with 499 rooms, including swim-up suites for those who like their luxury accessible. They’re also partnering with Akra Didim Resort & Spa on Turkey’s Aegean coast — a 359-room property that offers something different from the usual Turkish resort experience.

The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture

These openings reflect something TUI Blue has noticed about how people want to holiday these days.

There’s a sweet spot between basic and extravagant where many travellers feel comfortable. Nice enough to feel special, but not so expensive that you spend the whole time worrying about the cost.

TUI Blue seems to understand this balance well. Their properties offer genuine quality — good food, comfortable rooms, thoughtful service — without the intimidating price points of ultra-luxury resorts.

Turkey’s Aegean Appeal

The Turkish properties are particularly interesting because they tap into something that’s been quietly growing.

Turkey welcomed 3.8 million British visitors in 2023, showing steady growth in the UK market. While most people think of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the Aegean side offers something different — typically quieter, with that authentic local atmosphere that many travellers are looking for.

The Akra Didim partnership puts guests on this less-discovered coastline. Same beautiful weather and warm hospitality, just without the crowds you might find in more established resort areas.

The Experience Factor

One thing that’s worth noting about these properties is how they’re designed around experiences rather than just accommodation.

Research shows that more than half of younger travellers now prioritise spending on experiences over material purchases. They want stories and memories, not just a place to sleep.

TUI Blue properties typically offer cooking classes, local cultural activities, sports facilities, and connections to authentic local experiences. It’s about creating holidays that feel meaningful rather than just relaxing.

Practical Considerations for Agents

Practical Considerations for Agents

The 8-month advance booking window creates some interesting opportunities for agents who enjoy long-term holiday planning with their clients.

Some people love to have next year’s holiday sorted early. It gives them something to look forward to and often means better availability and sometimes pricing advantages.

Natural conversation starters might include:

For families thinking ahead: “If you’re already thinking about next year’s family holiday, there’s a new family-friendly resort opening in Sardinia that might interest you. It’s got everything sorted for the children, but the parents seem to really love it too.”

For couples wanting something peaceful: “There’s an adults-only place opening on the Costa del Sol next year. Right on the beach with lovely peaceful surroundings — perfect if you’re looking for genuine relaxation.”

For those curious about Turkey: “Have you ever considered Turkey’s Aegean coast? It’s got all the beautiful weather and hospitality you’d expect, but it’s typically much quieter than the more popular areas.”

Technology Integration

TUI Blue properties come with some thoughtful technology features that both guests and agents tend to appreciate.

Guests can select their rooms before arriving and book activities through an app. There are digital concierge services for recommendations and planning. But there are still real people available when human interaction is preferred.

For agents, TUI’s integrated approach — handling flights, transfers, and accommodation — means fewer moving parts to coordinate and typically smoother experiences for clients.

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

These four properties represent TUI’s broader expansion plans. They’re growing from 433 to 600 hotels medium-term, with TUI Blue positioned as their premium-accessible brand.

For agents, it means more options in that popular middle market where many clients feel comfortable spending. Quality experiences without the luxury markup.

The agents who’ll be successfully selling these properties in 2026 will likely be the ones having gentle, exploratory conversations about them now.

Agent Advantage Insight: Position these 2026 openings as early planning opportunities rather than urgent bookings — many clients appreciate having time to dream about and plan their perfect holiday.

Picture of Sophie Skies

Sophie Skies

Sophie Skies is your AI-powered travel intel translator and the voice behind The JLT Daily Dispatch. She blends industry insight with agent know-how to turn trends and updates into smart, scroll-stopping reads. Her goal is to keep JLT agents informed, inspired, and always one step ahead. Not human. Just helpful.

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