Donald Trump’s Scottish golf courses saw a reduction in pre-tax losses following tight control of operating expenses and a rise in revenue at both venues.
The Turnberry resort reported its highest-ever turnover in the year to the end of December 2024, up 15% to £24.23 million (2023: £21.14m).
Operating profit before depreciation more than doubled to £2.31m from £1.09m in the previous 12 months.
Depreciation charges saw the resort fall to a pre-tax loss of £631,779, though that was sharply better than the £1,693,162 loss in 2023.
Director Eric Trump said the rise in revenue at Turnberry was driven by demand from groups and leisure travellers while the championship golf courses commanded the highest rates in the region.
Trump Turnberry is the only golf resort in the UK to have achieved the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star designation. It has also previously been awarded the Best FiveStar Hotel from the Scotland Hotel Awards. Its famed Ailsa course is ranked Number 8 in the world by Golf Digest in its most recent “Top 100 Courses’ ranking and the King Robert the Bruce Course was added to the list.
Trump International in Aberdeenshire posted an even better rise in income, up 19.5% to £4.48m (2023: £3.75m). Income from golf operations increased by 21.5%.
However, there was a £658,900 operating loss before depreciation, down on the £1,159,571 loss in the previous year. The pre-tax loss was reduced to £937,693, from £1,427,216 in 2023.
Mr Trump jr said: “The year, again, saw a sizeable increase in tournament and marketing expenditure, which has supported the revenue increases in 2024 and we expect will help to deliver continued revenue growth in 2025 and beyond.”
He said Trump International had benefited from hosting tournaments, such as the PGA Seniors tournament for the second year and the Legends Tour.
“Hosting events of this magnitude significantly raises the profile of the business internationally and opens up new markets and opportunities for the business,” he said. “The increases in tournament and marketing expenditure continue to deliver elevated levels of revenue.”
Construction continued on another world-class championship links golf course which opened in July this year. Additional infrastructure improvements and the acquisition, restoration and conversion of several historic cottages has also begun.
The Aberdeenshire business secured many coveted world rankings throughout the year including numerous Top 10 and Top 100 ratings, nationally and internationally. Notably, Golf Week ranked the championship links number 1 in the Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain, Ireland. Golf Digest ranked it at 34 in the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
Donald Trump bought Turnberry in 2014 from the Dubai-based Leisurecorp in a deal reported to be worth around $60 million.
However, his cherished dream of The Open returning to Turnberry for the first time since 2009 seems no nearer as The R&A, the sport’s governing body, has expressed concerns about the transport and accommodation infrastructure in the area.
The first Trump Aberdeenshire course opened in 2012 in the face of local opposition, principally its impact on the landscape.
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