SAZAN, ALBANIA – In a surprising development, the Trump family has acquired Sazan Island, one of the last undeveloped Mediterranean jewels, aiming to transform it into a luxury tourism haven.
Immediate Impact
Known locally as Ishulli i Trumpëve or Trump Island, Sazan is poised to become a high-end tourist destination under the direction of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast in July 2024, Ivanka Trump expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting plans to collaborate with top architects and brands to develop the 1,400-acre island.
Key Details Emerge
Jared Kushner, who views Sazan as a treasure, plans to create an ideal resort for families and friends. However, the island’s landscape is marked by signs warning of unexploded ordnance, remnants of its past as a military fortress during Albania’s communist era.
By the Numbers
Preliminary approval from the Albanian government for the $1.4 billion project was granted on December 30, 2024.
Albania saw nearly 12 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 15% increase from the previous year.
Industry Response
The Albanian government, under Prime Minister Edi Rama, supports the project, seeing it as a crucial step in boosting the country’s luxury tourism sector. Rama emphasized the need for such development, comparing it to “a desert needing water.”
Environmental Concerns
Despite government backing, environmentalists like Olsi Nika, director of EcoAlbania, express concerns about the potential impact on the Karaburun-Sazan maritime national park. The project, however, has enlisted the sustainable development firm Arup to ensure ecological considerations are met.
Background Context
Sazan Island’s strategic location between the Adriatic and Ionian seas made it a military stronghold during Albania’s communist era. The island housed a military base with extensive tunnels and bunkers, remnants of which still dot the landscape.
Historical Significance
During its time as a fortress, Sazan was isolated, with soldiers stationed to defend against potential superpower invasions. This isolation preserved its biodiversity, which now attracts luxury tourism interest.
Regional Implications
The development on Sazan is part of a broader strategy by Affinity Partners, Kushner’s firm, which is also eyeing projects in Serbia. The former US ambassador Richard Grenell, now a partner in Affinity, plays a key role in these regional investments.
Geopolitical Considerations
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić sees the partnership with Kushner as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the US, despite complex geopolitical dynamics involving Russia and China.
What Comes Next
As the development progresses, the challenge remains to balance luxury tourism with environmental preservation. The project’s success could set a precedent for similar ventures in the region.
The Trump family’s acquisition of Sazan Island marks a significant shift in the Mediterranean tourism landscape, promising both economic growth and environmental challenges. As plans unfold, the world watches to see how this untouched paradise will transform.
