TUI Accelerates Asia Expansion with New Resorts in China, Japan and Vietnam

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European governments clamp down on golden visa programs designed to lure high-net-worth investors through real estate purchases, prompting Asian applicants to pivot toward alternative residency pathways. Portugal terminated its program in October 2023 after a decade of generating over 7 billion euros in investments, while Ireland followed suit in February 2025 by scrapping its 500,000 euro threshold option. Spain raised minimum investments to 500,000 euros in April 2025, excluding coastal properties to curb housing market distortions, and Greece hiked fees to 800,000 euros in high-demand areas starting July 2025. These shifts reflect broader concerns over money laundering and housing affordability, with the European Commission urging member states to phase out such schemes by 2026.

Demand from Chinese and Indian investors remains robust, accounting for 60% of golden visa applications across Europe in 2024, according to Henley & Partners data. Chinese nationals secured 4,200 Portuguese visas from 2012 to 2023, injecting 3.5 billion euros, while Indians led Spain’s program with 2,800 approvals since 2013. Wealth managers report a 25% uptick in inquiries for non-EU alternatives like Australia’s Significant Investor Visa, which requires 5 million Australian dollars, and Canada’s Quebec Immigrant Investor Program at 1.2 million Canadian dollars. This redirection sustains capital flows, with Asian investors parking an estimated 15 billion euros annually in residency-linked assets.

TUI Group’s Asia push counters these visa uncertainties by targeting affluent European and domestic travelers seeking seamless access to emerging markets. The tour operator plans to add 12 resorts across China, Japan and Vietnam by 2027, building on its existing 400 properties worldwide. In China, three new beachfront complexes in Hainan province will feature 1,200 rooms with integrated wellness centers, capitalizing on the island’s visa-free entry for 59 countries extended through 2025. Japan’s expansions include two ski-in lodges near Niseko and Hakuba, each accommodating 300 guests with onsen facilities, timed for the 2026 winter season amid rising inbound tourism from Europe.

Vietnam developments focus on four eco-resorts in Phu Quoc and Da Nang, emphasizing sustainable bamboo architecture and marine conservation partnerships with local NGOs. Total investment stands at 450 million euros, funded through TUI’s 2024 green bond issuance that prioritizes low-carbon builds. These properties integrate with TUI’s charter flight network, adding 15 weekly routes from Frankfurt and London starting summer 2026, reducing transit times by 20% via direct connections. Occupancy projections hit 85% in year one, driven by bundled packages that combine stays with cultural excursions like tea ceremonies in Japan and street food tours in Vietnam.

Broader industry adaptations include enhanced digital visa trackers on TUI’s app, alerting users to real-time policy changes in 50 destinations. Partnerships with immigration consultants offer pre-trip audits, mitigating denial risks that affected 18% of high-value applications in 2024. This strategy aligns with a 12% year-over-year growth in Asia-Pacific bookings for TUI, per its Q3 2025 earnings, as operators diversify beyond Europe to offset golden visa revenue dips estimated at 2 billion euros continent-wide. Emerging markets like Thailand and Malaysia, with investor visas starting at 250,000 dollars, emerge as frontrunners for redirected funds, promising 30% compound annual growth in luxury tourism inflows through 2030.