Punjab-born bizman partners with Trump Hotels to launch ‘American Idea’ chain
CHAWLA WILL PUT IN AN INVESTMENT OF USD 20 MILLION IN ADDITION TO BORROWING MONEY FOR MORE FINANCING
NEW YORK: A leading IndianAmerican hotelier has partnered with a company of President Donald Trump’s sons to launch a new midscale hotel chain under the name “American IDEA” in the US.
Trump Hotels, part of Trumpfounded Trump Organisation and helmed by the president’s sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, announced the tie-up with Mississippi-based company Chawla Hotels, led by Punjabborn Dinesh Chawla.
The partnership includes three American Idea properties in the Mississippi Delta area as well as the upscale ‘Scion’ hotel brand. The properties will come up in Cleveland, Clarksdale and Greenville in Mississippi.
Chawla, CEO of Chawla Hotels, told PTI in a telephonic interview that under the tie-up, his company will develop the Scion and the three American Idea hotels in the Mississippi area. He will put in an investment of USD 20 million in addition to borrowing money for more financing. Chawla expects the properties to be ready in six to seven months.
Describing the Trump team as “very polished people and sophisticated operators”, Chawla said among the reasons that he wants to partner with them is that “they have developed hotels at such a high level”.
He said he has stayed at Trump hotels before and “we want to bring some of that polish to our developments too”.
Chawla recalled that his late father VK Chawla had first interacted with Trump about 30 years ago as an immigrant who had come to the US from India by way of Canada. He was struggling financially and looking for help to finance his first hotel.
Chawla said Trump had “in a quick stroke” advised his father about how he should go about getting a loan. The senior Chawla, who passed away two years ago, built 17 hotels in the region.
He said he may not agree or “see eye to eye” with Trump on political issues but he is very proud of the professional tie-up with the Trump organisation that will help bring about 100 jobs and boost the economy in the Mississippi area.