Tui sees ‘significant’ drop in demand to US as more tourists head east

Tui Group has reported a ‘significant’ drop in demand for the US while its long-haul business to the Middle East and Asia is growing.

 

Sebastian Ebel, chief executive, revealed the trends on Tuesday, as the European tourism giant unveiled its Q1 results – with group revenue almost constant and underlying group profit (Ebit) up to €77.1 million from €50.9 million year on year.

 

Asked whether Brits, Germans and other Europeans are less keen on long-haul travel or bigger, more expensive trips, he said: “What we do see is a growing business to the east – emirates, Asia – and we do see significant lower demand into the US.

 

“We really support the European demand to the Caribbean, which, due to capacity, had been not the biggest priority in the past, but there we see now potential again to grow.”

 

His comments about the American market come after the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) warned there was “substantial and widespread” concern about proposed Esta changes for travellers heading to the US.

 

The wider UK market to the US saw growth in air arrivals largely stagnating at 0.5% in 2025, amid an overall annual decline in overseas arrivals of 2.5%.

 

Ebel also noted that the tourism giant had added five hotels in Africa and one hotel in Asia during Q1, commenting: “This clearly shows where we put the effort into it. This is mainly outside Europe, with great success, and the pipeline is growing.”

 

The Africa expansion included the first Tui Blue in The Gambia (pictured) and the Tui Blue Villa Retreat in Vietnam.

 

He also outlined the impact of deadly Hurricane Melissa which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025.

 

The Hotels & Resorts segment was “burdened” by a loss of €10 million as a result of the hurricane, while the Markets & Airlines segment saw a €6 million hit, according to the results statement.

 

“Jamaica is a quite big destination for us, with a lot of flights from the UK,” he said.

 

Ebel noted that all its seven Riu hotels on the island opened in January, while the luxury Royalton hotels “still need another two months” as they are undergoing renovation.

 

The flight programme is 80% back, he added.

 

“We assume normalisation from the second quarter onwards, as the infrastructure is there, Riu is operationally working well, airlift capacity is almost back to where it had been, and the last missing points are all Royalton hotels, which should be open for Easter.”

 

Meanwhile, the Eclipse at Half Moon resort in Montego Bay is to re-open on April 2 as part of Jamaica’s post–Hurricane Melissa recovery. 

 

Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said: “The reopening of Eclipse at Half Moon is a powerful signal of confidence in Jamaica’s tourism sector and our national recovery.

 

“As one of the Caribbean’s most iconic resorts, Half Moon has long set the standard for excellence, innovation, and authentic Jamaican hospitality.

 

“The resort’s return not only restores hundreds of jobs but also strengthens our tourism value chain, benefiting communities and the wider economy. I commend the Half Moon team for their continued investment and unwavering commitment to Jamaica."

 

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Tui expects growth in its range of ‘exotic’ destinations to accelerate