TUI Blue is setting its sights on the sun. The hotel brand has signed eight new properties across Egypt, Bulgaria, Croatia and Portugal. The new TUI Blue hotels 2027 line-up comes first, with summer openings planned in Hurghada, Bulgaria’s Varna region, the Croatian island of Brač and Madeira.
Egypt is the star of the show, with five of the eight signings. More Red Sea openings are planned for 2028 and 2029.
What’s opening: the new TUI Blue hotels 2027 line-up
The programme begins in summer 2027 with four destinations at once. Here is what is due to arrive:
- Hurghada, Egypt: two new additions on the Red Sea coast.
- Varna region, Bulgaria: a 294-room hotel that is being refurbished before it joins the brand.
- Brač, Croatia: a 120-room property, which is set to grow to 155 rooms from 2028.
- Madeira, Portugal: a 153-room hotel right on the seafront.
Together, the three European hotels add 567 rooms to the TUI Blue collection. These are rooms joining the brand’s portfolio, not necessarily newly built ones. The Varna property, for example, is a refurbishment.
These are seasonal targets rather than fixed dates. The company has not yet published exact opening days for every property, so it pays to check the specific hotel before booking flights.
Egypt leads the way to 2029
After Hurghada, the expansion moves along the Red Sea coast. A hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and a newly built Hurghada property are both scheduled for summer 2028. A further new build in Marsa Alam is due to follow in summer 2029.
That makes Egypt home to 62.5% of the signings. Two of the Egyptian projects are confirmed as new builds.
The timing fits a strong run for Egyptian tourism. Government figures reported by Travel and Tour World show 12.7 million arrivals between January and August 2026, up from 12.2 million a year earlier. Tourism revenue over the same months edged up to US$12 billion, compared with US$11.8 billion in 2025.
Beyond the beach, the brand is linking its Egyptian stays with big-ticket experiences. These include the Grand Egyptian Museum, the pyramids at Giza, sightseeing in Luxor and desert adventures.
A date for your diary in 2027
Summer 2027 has an extra draw. A total solar eclipse is confirmed for 2 August 2027, and Luxor is among the places to watch it.
Bear in mind that Hurghada sits on the coast, some distance from Luxor. One published eclipse excursion from Hurghada to Luxor lasts around 18 hours. Its viewing spot may also move from Luxor Temple to the West Bank, or the other way round. Factor in transfer times if this is on your wish list.
What Bulgaria, Croatia and Madeira offer
According to the company, the European openings pair beach time with hiking, national parks, heritage visits and wine tasting.
Varna, Bulgaria: this Black Sea region is popular with overseas visitors. International guests accounted for roughly four in five of the 633,477 overnight stays recorded in Varna district. Across Bulgaria, September 2026 accommodation arrivals dipped 1.6% year on year, while accommodation revenue rose 13.9% to €167.6 million.
Brač, Croatia: Croatia continues to draw big numbers. Commercial accommodation logged 90.4 million nights between January and September 2026, up 1.1% on the year before.
Madeira, Portugal: the Atlantic island recorded 10.1 million nights over the same nine months, an increase of 2.4%. Room occupancy in September 2026 was 84.4%, slightly down from 87.2% a year earlier. That still shows how busy the island stays into early autumn.
Why it matters for UK travellers
For British sun-seekers, this means more choice of branded beach hotels in places many already love. Egypt in particular gains fresh options at three Red Sea resorts between 2027 and 2029.
It is worth keeping expectations realistic. The announcement does not promise lower prices, and no new flight routes or ferry services have been announced alongside it. If you already have a holiday booked, nothing needs to change.
If Egypt is on your list, check the entry rules early. Current UK government guidance says British citizens need a passport valid for six months after arrival, with at least one blank page. Most British visitors will also need a visa.
Planning a trip?
With summer 2027 openings already on the calendar, and an eclipse to boot, now is a good moment to start shortlisting. Browse our Egypt holidays for Red Sea sunshine. You can also explore our Split and Dalmatian coast holidays near Brač, our Madeira holidays or our Bulgaria holidays.
FAQs
When do the new TUI Blue hotels open?
The first openings are scheduled for summer 2027. They are two hotels in Hurghada, a refurbished property in the Varna area of Bulgaria, a hotel on Brač in Croatia and a beachfront hotel in Madeira. Summer 2028 brings a property in Sharm El Sheikh plus a newly built hotel in Hurghada, then Marsa Alam follows in summer 2029. Exact opening days have not been confirmed.
Where are the new TUI Blue hotels in Egypt?
Egypt has five of the eight signings. Two are in Hurghada from summer 2027. A further new-build Hurghada hotel and a property in Sharm El Sheikh are due in summer 2028. A new build in Marsa Alam is planned for summer 2029, making Egypt the biggest part of the expansion.
Do British travellers need a visa for Egypt?
In most cases, yes: UK government guidance says British visitors usually require a visa for Egypt. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after you arrive and have at least one blank page. Check the latest official advice before you travel, as entry rules can change.
