Trump family sets sights on Austin for brand-new hotel chain

[TexasTowelie]

Let the protests begin: The Trump family is eyeing Austin for one of its new Scion-branded hotels.

The New York Times quotes Eric Trump, the middle son of President Donald Trump, as saying the Trump Organization hopes to build Scion hotels, a lower-price alternative to the upscale Trump International Hotel chain, in large to midsize “trendy” cities like Austin; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Nashville.

After winning the race for the White House, Donald Trump turned over the reins of his real estate empire — including the hotel business — to sons Donald Jr. and Eric. The president still retains an ownership stake in the Trump family businesses.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler isn’t exactly welcoming the possibility of a Trump project with open arms. In a statement to The Huffington Post, Adler said, “This isn’t surprising because Austin is the best city in America to start a business, but I’m not sure the way we do things in Austin is aligned with the Trump brand.”

Read more: http://austin.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/02-15-17-trump-family-austin-hotel/

[tanyev]

1. Newsflash: There aren't enough Trump supporters to keep those hotels profitable.

But, hey, if they need to learn that the hard way, who am I to complain?

[Shell_Seas]

2. In Texas?

I bet there is...

[tanyev]

3. In Austin?

Not a big tourist destination for the RW crowd. The state legislature regular session only happens every other year.

[Shell_Seas]

4. I live in DFW.

I'm still surrounded by conservatives and open carry assholes.

[tanyev]

5. I'm not saying they'd have empty rooms 24/7.

But it's a tough industry, with high startup costs, lots of competition, and quite a bit of inherent risk. I happen to think the moment in time when your brand is so toxic that you've alienated 50-60% of your potential customers is a bad time to plan an expansion.

[Hangingon]

6. The locals don't stay in hotels.

Austin is th e state capitol and lots of red county people come for state business. The hotels will do okay.

[Shell_Seas]

7. They are so clueless

They still think they are winning bigly....