Apple Leisure Group’s Apple Vacations and sister company
Travel Impressions have suspended their promotion and sales indefinitely for
all Trump International Hotels properties.
Apple follows Pleasant Holidays in boycotting Trump
properties in response to highly derogatory comments regarding Mexican
immigrants made by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during his
campaign announcement speech.
“As we are responsible for more tourism arrivals to Mexico
than any other company worldwide, and we have heard in clear terms from our
customers and agents about the remarks of Trump, we feel it would be
irresponsible and insensitive to continue selling Trump-branded hotels,” said
Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group.
“While we respect individuals’ right to free speech, we
cannot condone or support Trump’s portrayal of Mexicans, who are a vibrant,
hard-working people,” Zozaya said.
Apple Vacations previously announced it was exploring
alternative venue options for its annual Golden Apple Gala, initially slated
for the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago. The company now is
considering the Art Institute of Chicago, where it honored its top hotel
partners in 2014.
Pleasant Holidays stopped packaging three Trump properties
in Honolulu, Las Vegas and Panama City.
All current bookings for the three hotels will be honored,
Pleasant Holidays said. A sales suspension will continue until Pleasant
Holidays “receives greater clarity on statements by Trump about Mexican
immigrants,” said the tour operator.