PHOTO: Apple Vacations canceled plans to host its annual Golden Apple Gala at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago on Sept. 1 and is now ceasing sales on all Trump brands. (Photo by David Cogswell)
It is rare that a mass market vacation wholesaler makes a statement that pertains even remotely to politics, but in this case, presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent disparaging statements about Mexicans raised so much fury that it threatened the business of Apple Leisure Group, a Bain Capital-owned tourism giant.
ALG, which lays claim to being the largest vacation wholesaler for North Americans vacationing in Mexico, suspended its business relations with all Trump hotels for its wholesale vacation brands Apple Vacations and Travel Impressions.
ALG released a statement specifying the exact reason for its cessation of relations with the Trump properties: Trump's remarks about Mexicans during his recent announcement of his candidacy for president of the U.S.
"As we are responsible for more tourism arrivals to Mexico than any other company worldwide, and we have heard in clear terms from our customers and agents about the remarks of Mr. Trump, we feel it would be irresponsible and insensitive to continue selling Trump-branded hotels," wrote Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group. "While we respect individuals' right to free speech, we cannot condone or support Mr. Trump's portrayal of Mexicans, who are a vibrant, hard-working people."
In his first address as a presidential candidate, Trump said that as president he would build a wall blocking Mexico from the U.S. and that Mexico is "sending people that have lots of problems, and they are bringing those problems to us. They are bringing drugs, and bringing crime, and they are rapists."
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