Trump Organization discusses luxury hotel project in occupied al-Quds
3 Min Read
The Trump Organization is exploring the launch of hotels and projects in occupied al-Quds all the way to Tel Aviv, although the Israeli economy is not in favor of new businesses in light of the genocide in Gaza.
-
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Friday, October 11, 2024, in Reno, Nev. (AP)
Former US President Donald Trump's family business is trying to revive talks to open a luxury hotel in occupied east al-Quds, a report by the New York Times revealed.
Last year, the Trump Organization pursued a deal to open its own branded luxury hotel where the Israeli Foreign Ministry formerly stood, and contemplated transforming a skyscraper under construction near the Israeli occupation forces' headquarters in Tel Aviv into another hotel.
Details provided in the NYT report indicate that once the project concludes, the hotel is expected to accommodate the largest number of rooms across occupied Palestine.
While both deals were paused in light of October 7, Eric Trump, the president's second son and the face of the family business, continued exploring deals and projects in both east al-Quds and Tel Aviv.
"The deal absolutely would have gotten done if not for October 7," he told the New York Times.
According to Eric Trump, building a hotel after the events of October 7 “would have seemed trivial and tone-deaf in light of the horrific things that the country and region were experiencing” but the company will “definitely” sign off on a deal “when the current situation that we’re all witnessing on TV every day is resolved.”
Hotels for who?
The Trump Organization is considering two hotels owned by Nitsba Group, an Israeli real estate firm. Haim Tsuff, chairman of Nitsba's controlling shareholder, mentioned they had already agreed on the price and most details for a luxury hotel in occupied al-Quds, with future plans to expand to Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, Florida-based real estate firm Lockwood informed the New York Times that negotiations had been halted due to "an ethical issue" concerning Donald Trump’s increasing chances of becoming the Republican nominee at the time.
However, in August, Lockwood reached out to a Nitsba executive, expressing that Eric Trump wanted to resume discussions “when the timing is right.” Despite Donald Trump’s ongoing presidential campaign, the Trump Organization is still pursuing other opportunities, including projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and a hotel and golf course in Vietnam, according to the New York Times.
It is worth mentioning that since October 7, the hotel industry across occupied Palestine has been on the verge of a drastic collapse.
A report released by the Israel Hotel Association (IHA) in July indicated that almost 10% of hotels in the Israeli occupation are in serious danger of collapsing, with many others on the verge of financial disaster, Israeli Ynet news revealed.
The report details hotel occupancy rates across occupied Palestine from January to June 2024, and showcases serious financial difficulties in locations reliant on inbound tourists, while communities hosting evacuated settlers and relying on domestic tourism, including the Dead Sea and Eilat, reported strong occupancy rates.
Tel Aviv recorded a 57% occupancy rate, an 11% decrease compared to last year, and a 25% decrease compared to 2019.
In occupied al-Quds, the occupancy rate was 41%, a 37% decrease compared to last year and a 43% decrease compared to 2019, while Nazareth recorded 33%, a 40% decrease compared to last year and a 52% decrease compared to 2019.
