Saudi Arabia’s Dar Global, together with The Trump Organization, has unveiled plans to develop Trump International Hotel Maldives, a new ultra-luxury resort set to open by the end of 2028.
The project will feature 80 high-end beach and overwater villas on an island located just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ capital, Malé. This move represents a significant entry into the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality market and further expands the Trump brand’s growing presence in international real estate.
Project Overview
Dar Global, a London-listed Saudi real estate developer and the international arm of Dar Al Arkan, will lead the development. The partnership’s project stands out as it introduces a unique financial structure: the world’s first tokenised hotel development starting from the construction phase.
Unlike previous models that tokenized completed assets, this initiative allows investors to purchase digital shares, tokens, representing fractional ownership in the development from inception.
Tokenization uses blockchain technology to convert property assets into digital tokens that can be divided and traded. This approach gives a broader range of investors access to luxury hospitality opportunities and is positioned as a major innovation in real estate investment.
Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, highlighted the project’s blend of luxury, innovation, and technology, predicting that this business model will transform global investment in the hotel sector.
Trump Brand Expansion
The Trump Organization’s Maldives entry marks another milestone in its ongoing partnership with Dar Global after several high-profile launches in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, Dar Global announced in July 2024 the launch of the first Trump Tower Jeddah.
The firm has also introduced projects in Riyadh and a 1 million square meter masterplan for central Jeddah that will include a Trump-branded complex. In Oman, Dar Global is developing the $4 billion Aida Muscat project, which features Trump-branded villas, a resort, and a golf course.
The Trump name is also returning to Dubai with a new Trump Tower expected to open around 2030, in addition to the Trump International Golf Club operating in Damac Hills.
Regional and Industry Impact
Dar Global’s move demonstrates confidence in the enduring appeal of the Trump brand in the Gulf region. According to Ziad El Chaar, the Trump name still resonates strongly with high-net-worth buyers in the region, reinforcing its status as a premier brand in luxury and prestige-driven hospitality developments.
This Maldives resort launch arrives at a time of heightened Saudi-U.S. cooperation, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman scheduled for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump to advance mutual interests in defense and technology.
Observers see the continued expansion of Saudi-backed real estate ventures with global partners as indicative of deeper international integration and ambition among Gulf developers.
