Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland took advantage of the disruption caused by the US President’s actions in Iran to attract more business, recent findings show.
Correspondence reviewed by the Mirror indicates that employees at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Ayrshire reached out to golf tour operators, proposing to redirect trips originally planned for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which were affected by the conflict, to their own establishment.
In an email to members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), a business development manager for Trump Turnberry acknowledged the potential impact of recent events in the Middle East on UAE bookings and broader travel plans. The message suggested the possibility of rearranging tours slated for the Middle East to include a visit to Turnberry instead.
The email mentioned a surge in last-minute bookings for golf and accommodations at Turnberry due to altered travel arrangements caused by the conflict. The sender expressed willingness to assist with a “stay and play” option for interested clients and proposed further discussions to explore how they could help.
When contacted for comment, the Trump Organisation, which manages the course, was approached by the Mirror. Notably, Trump had visited Turnberry in the previous year, conducting meetings with Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen at the resort’s hotel.
Following Trump’s military actions in Iran, countries like the UAE in the region are facing the threat of retaliatory strikes, leading to significant travel disruptions that are yet to be fully resolved.
Trump recently issued an ultimatum to Iran, giving them 48 hours to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz or face additional attacks. He also warned of targeting various power plants, starting with potentially the Bushehr nuclear power plant or Damavand, a gas facility near Tehran.
