News Desk
The Trump Organization is moving into the Maldives with a new luxury resort developed alongside Dubai‑based Dar Global, extending a partnership that has become one of the more active cross‑border real‑estate pairings in the Gulf. The Trump International Hotel Maldives will be the company’s first property in the country and is being promoted as the world’s first tokenised hotel development.
The resort is planned for an island about 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé and is scheduled to open by the end of 2028. Early plans include around 80 villas split between beach and overwater categories.
Dar Global says the project will be tokenised during construction, allowing investors to purchase digital tokens linked to the development. Tokenisation usually applies to completed assets, converting ownership stakes into blockchain‑based units. The companies say offering tokens from the outset will give investors access to a “high‑growth, premium real‑estate project from inception”.
The Maldives project comes as the Trump Organization attempts to rebuild its hotel portfolio after a period of contraction. Trump Hotels currently operates eight properties in the United States, Ireland and Scotland. The company is now pushing into new markets, with developments under way in Oman, Dubai and the Maldives, and announced plans for hotels in Bali and Vietnam.
Its partnership with Dar Global has already produced a busy pipeline across the Gulf. Projects include Trump Tower Jeddah and Trump Plaza Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, a luxury resort in Oman, a hotel‑and‑residences tower in Dubai and the Trump International Golf Club Doha.
Dar Global has emerged as one of the Gulf’s more outward‑looking luxury developers, using Dubai as its base while expanding into Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and parts of Europe. The company specialises in branded residences and high‑end hospitality, often partnering with international names to anchor large mixed‑use schemes. In Saudi Arabia, its projects align with the kingdom’s broader push to attract foreign investment. In Oman, Dar Global has been involved in coastal luxury developments tied to the country’s tourism diversification strategy.
Both companies have also been studying opportunities in India’s premium real‑estate market. India’s major metros and coastal leisure destinations have seen strong demand for branded residences and international hotel operators. The Trump name has previously appeared on residential towers in Pune, Mumbai and Gurgaon through licensing deals with local developers. While no joint India project with Dar Global has been announced, both firms have shown interest in markets where high‑net‑worth demand and foreign‑brand appeal overlap.
For the Maldives, the project adds another major international brand to the country’s luxury tourism landscape. Details on environmental planning, island selection and construction timelines have not yet been released.
