Trump Hotels Eyes US Expansion Despite Potential Conflicts of Interest
Hotel & Resort Patrick Clarke January 25, 2017
Concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest between President Donald Trump and his namesake hotels are likely only to increase in wake of news that Trump Hotels aims to expand rapidly across the U.S.
According to Bloomberg, Trump Hotels CEO Eric Danziger envisions tremendous growth for the brand during Trump's time in office.
"There are 26 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., and we're in five,” Danziger said following a panel discussion at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles Tuesday via Bloomberg.
"I don't see any reason that we couldn’t be in all of them eventually."
Opening a property in all 26 major markets would more than triple the company's portfolio. It currently manages eight Trump-branded hotels in the U.S.
Trump Hotels' recently-launched lifestyle brand Scion will open its first hotel later this year. The new brand will target smaller cities rather than major markets and properties will range from 72 to as much as 800 rooms.
READ MORE: Democrats Say Donald Trump Must Divest from DC Hotel That Lost $1.1 Million
Interestingly, Danziger's statements come just days after Trump took office as the 45th President of the U.S. and amid calls by many for Trump to divest from his various businesses. Specifically, Trump's Washington, D.C. hotel has drawn the attention of a group of House Democrats accusing him of violating his lease with the Federal Government since elected officials aren't admitted to a share of it.
Although the brand had hinted at plans for international expansion in China last year, Danziger said those plans are "pretty much off" in the wake of Trump's election victory and critical comments he's made in regard to China.
"Both brands and any others we create will have a domestic emphasis for the next four or eight years," Danziger said via Bloomberg.
Regardless of how quickly Trump Hotels expands, the brand could face a significant challenge in luring guests. Recent reports suggest Trump's ascent to the presidency has hurt his businesses and many hotel guests have even complained of staying in properties with views of Trump-branded hotels.
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