A FALL in the pound after the Brexit vote has sparked an increase in hotel guests to Donald Trump's Turnberry resort, with the Ayrshire golf course expecting its most profitable year.
The President-Elect said business at Turnberry was performing “unbelievably”. In an interview with Vote Leave campaigner and former Conservative leadership contender Michael Gove, Mr Trump said. ““Your pound sterling has gone down. I think Brexit is going to end up being a great thing."
Mr Trump bought Turnberry for £34m in 2014.
The century-old golf resort’s general manager Ralph Porciani added: “From the business we have on the books so far, the pace is telling me the Trump Turnberry will have its best year of revenue in 100 years.
"When it comes to customers from the USA, the pound’s [fall] against the dollar is much better for Americans and they are spending much more in the pro shop. There has been a 20 per cent uplift.
"The boys in the Trump Turnberry shop are saying customers are excited that they can get ‘great Turnberry sweaters for a discount."
Mr Porciani, who has run Turnberry for nearly 14 years, said he was expecting revenue this year to be 15per cent to 20 per cent higher than the £16.2m it collected in 2007. Mr Trump has invested £140m in the Ayrshire resort, while a a refurbishment programme is being overseen by his middle son, Eric.
Mr Porciani added that he had zero-tolerance policy when it came to staff discussing politics with guests and said he expected Trump to be too busy to visit the club as much as he has in the past.
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