LISTEN TO STORY
WATCH STORY
By: Puli
March 23, LNW (Colombo): Amid escalating tensions and uncertainty triggered by the Iran conflict, a fresh wave of controversy has erupted around Donald Trump – with reports suggesting he may have capitalized on the chaos to boost his luxury golf empire.
According to international media, staff at Trump’s prestigious Turnberry resort in Ayrshire, Scotland, reached out to global golf tour operators with a striking proposal: abandon troubled Middle Eastern travel plans and redirect them to Trump’s own Scottish retreat.
In a pointed email, a business development manager at the resort acknowledged the growing instability, writing that recent events in the Middle East were likely disrupting bookings and broader travel plans to the United Arab Emirates. But the message quickly pivoted – offering Turnberry as a safe and attractive alternative.
What followed was a clear pitch: reschedule Middle East golf tours and bring clients instead to the rolling greens of Scotland.
The strategy appears to have had an immediate impact. The resort reportedly experienced a surge in last-minute bookings for both golf and accommodation, fueled by travelers seeking to avoid the increasingly volatile region.
The timing has raised eyebrows. Just last year, Trump visited Turnberry himself, hosting high-profile discussions with Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen at the resort.
Meanwhile, the broader geopolitical backdrop remains tense. Following U.S. military actions, the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries have faced threats of retaliation from Iran, throwing regional travel into disarray. Flights have been disrupted, plans derailed, and uncertainty continues to grip the Middle East.