Trump’s Controversial Comments: Their Effect on Travel Sellers

A recent online survey conducted by Travel Market Report shows that Donald Trump’s recent comments on immigration may be leading travel sellers to turn away from selling Trump Hotel Collection properties.

A poll of 616 travel professionals found that 36% of respondents have found their business selling Trump hotels affected following Donald Trump’s controversial comments on Mexican immigrants.

The same percentage said clients have now expressed concerns about staying at Trump properties.

Travel agents are split down the middle on whether they will continue to sell Trump hotels– 49% said they will no longer sell Trump, while 51% said they will continue to sell the hotel brand.

There was no response at press time to the survey from spokespeople for the Trump Hotel Collection.

Agents who participated in the survey told Travel Market Report that while Trump’s comments have personally irked many of them, they aren’t leading a charge against booking his hotels.

The priority, above all, is serving client wants and needs, regardless of politics.

“If a customer specifies a Trump-branded hotel, I would definitely ask why,” said Colleen Gillette, owner of New Paltz Travel in New Paltz, N.Y., who responded to the survey. “I don’t know any agent who personally said they would or would not sell a Trump property.”

Hurt by Trump
Agents said the effect will likely be felt more by Trump employees than travel sellers or Trump himself.

“It will have an impact on his businesses related to the travel industry,” said Tammy McDaniel, owner of Tammy’s Journeys in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. “Unfortunately, the impact will be felt mostly to his employees of the businesses that are being boycotted.”

Lower demand for Trump hotels may even end up being good for the client, bringing an increase in deals and value-adds to attract additional business.

“If a client specifically wants to book a Trump hotel, I don’t have a problem with assisting them; in fact, there might be some very good deals out there for the consumer because of the boycotts,” said McDaniel.

Agents were mixed on whether major travel companies like he Apple Leisure Group have done the right thing by suspending their relationship with Trump Hotel Collection.

Half of respondents said the companies have done the right thing while 37% disagreed and 12% weren’t sure.

“After the Mexico/Mexican statement and the incessant follow ups, I decided I wasn’t interested in promoting any Trump product,” said Gillette. “I think that Pleasant Holidays and Apple Vacations  and Travel Impressions are free to make any business decision they feel is necessary.”

Different effects
Overall, agents are bringing their professionalism to an issue affected by personal opinions.

“I always try to provide my clients with their preferences unless I know that there is a specific problem with the property or something else would better suit their needs,” said Ellen Sisser, senior VIP and luxury leisure sales for Omega Travel.

“I don’t believe that an agent’s personal beliefs should impact on his or her willingness to book a reservation for a client.”

Sisser said clients will be affected differently by Trump’s comments, depending on their location

“We on the east coast serving clientele in the metropolitan New York and Washington, D.C. areas perhaps find that [clients] are not as easily affected by comments by public figures,” said Sisser.

“In other areas of the country, the effect of illegal immigration is more pronounced so those who hear his [Trump’s] comments may be more likely to [be affected].  Whether or not they are potential Trump hotel guests is debatable.”

When it comes down to it, clients are going to look for agents to book the property of their choice– regardless of the agent’s personal politics.

“Many people do not want to give up their creature comforts to prove a point,” said Sisser.

Daniel McCarthy contributed to this story