TUI expands its lifestyle hotel vision into the heart of Shanghai

Thursday, Mar 05, 2026 0

Hotel management agreement signed for historic landmark hotel
TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai will open in June 2026
Continued expansion of TUI’s hotel cluster in Asia

Where Asian culture meets historic Art Deco: TUI Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai, a landmark five-star in a prime location. The management agreement with Shanghai Donghu (Group) Co., Ltd, was revealed at ITB Berlin, another milestone of TUI’s global expansion portfolio.

Scheduled to open on 1 June 2026, the property with 103 rooms is located in a distinguished historic building in Shanghai and will combine preserved architectural heritage with TUI BLUE’s contemporary hospitality concept. The hotel will be offering curated lifestyle experiences, elevated dining concepts, and premium service standards tailored to both international and domestic travellers.

A milestone for TUI BLUE in China

The hotel owner, Shanghai Donghu (Group) Co., Ltd., is a large-scale corporate group with integrated urban lifestyle services as its core business, operating 12 hotels and landmark projects including several garden-style state guesthouses, and combining hospitality, dining, scenic environments, and strong brand reputation. Guided by its “urban lifestyle services” strategy, the group also spans property management, automotive services, hotel and catering management, exhibition services, and information technology, making it a highly recognized and influential enterprise in Shanghai and across China. The signing of TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai marks another important step in TUI Hotels & Resorts’ expansion in Greater China, particularly within key gateway cities where heritage, culture, and international connectivity converge.

Mr. Zhu Weidong, Chairman of Shanghai Donghu (Group) Co., Ltd., comments: “We are pleased to establish this partnership with TUI Group and to introduce the TUI BLUE brand to one of Shanghai’s historic landmark properties. This collaboration represents a meaningful step in strengthening international cooperation in the hospitality sector. Beyond this project, we look forward to exploring broader collaborations with TUI Group across tourism, destination development, and integrated travel services. By leveraging Donghu Group’s local heritage and operational strength together with TUI’s global tourism platform, we believe there is strong potential to create long-term value and contribute to the continued growth of Shanghai as a world-class tourism destination.”

Artur Gerber, CEO TUI Hotels & Resorts, adds: “It is an honour to be entrusted with operating this historic landmark hotel in one of the world’s most dynamic gateway cities. The signing of TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai represents a significant step forward in our strategic expansion in China. With its prime location near People’s Square and its distinctive heritage character, TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai is set to become a flagship urban property within the brand’s Asia portfolio.”

TUI Hotels & Resorts is accelerating its growth in the Asian market and has entered a new phase of expansion towards 50+ hotels in unique holiday destinations.