Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are pursuing a bold new real estate venture that has the Balkans abuzz—and not everyone is applauding. The couple plans to turn Albania’s uninhabited Sazan Island into a high-end resort, but locals and critics have issued a pointed warning about preserving the island's dark Cold War history.
According to the Daily Mail, the Trump-Kushner project, valued at $1.4 billion, has received approval from the Albanian government. It aims to reimagine the island’s dilapidated Soviet-era bunkers and military infrastructure as an exclusive paradise for elite travelers.
Sazan Island, located just nine miles from the Albanian port city of Vlorë, once served as a military outpost during the repressive rule of Enver Hoxha. Though many locals support the development for its economic potential, others, like tour operator Engjell Rrapaj, urge the couple not to erase the island's grim past in their quest for luxury.
Rrapaj, whose father served on the island during the communist regime, operates BoatvenTours, which brings visitors to explore the remnants of Sazan’s military past. He believes this history should be preserved, not flattened for five-star accommodations. “Take me there once it has been flattened,” his father once said, reflecting his painful memories.
For many Albanians, especially younger generations, Sazan’s history isn’t visceral, but Rrapaj thinks its eerie atmosphere has real tourism value. Tourists often describe the island as a time capsule, where decaying barracks and schools offer a rare glimpse into a bygone era.
“If they respect its history, if they respect the nature... then it very much has the conditions of being successful,” Rrapaj said, urging Kushner and Trump not to sanitize the island’s raw authenticity.
Despite mixed feelings, most locals seem optimistic. Many hope the resort will bring investment, jobs, and more visitors to the region. So far, Kushner’s Affinity Partners—funded largely by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth—has pledged to minimize environmental impact with cliff-carved dwellings resembling Hobbit homes.
As plans progress, locals have started calling Sazan “Ishulli i Trumpëve,” or Trump Island. But beneath the enthusiasm lies unease. Sazan remains riddled with unexploded landmines and military remnants, posing significant logistical hurdles for construction and future tourism.
The project’s lead architect, Asher Abehsera, promises the hotel will feel as though it was “sculpted by nature.” Yet, critics remain wary. Ethics expert Virginia Canter raised concerns over favoritism, saying the Albanian government may be courting Kushner to curry favor with President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, a staunch supporter of development, says the country “can’t afford not to exploit a gift like Sazan.” He called the partnership with Kushner a strategic win, potentially bringing Western investment and countering regional Russian influence.
Kushner praised Rama’s leadership and highlighted the upcoming Vlorë international airport as a game-changer for high-end tourism. Still, many in the government echo tourism minister Mirela Kumbaro’s warning: Albania should prioritize quality over volume to protect its fragile infrastructure.
“More profits and fewer problems,” Kumbaro told The Guardian, emphasizing the need for sustainable tourism. Nearly 12 million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2024, quadrupling its population and straining its resources.
Kushner insists the island won’t be off-limits to locals. While privacy is key to the resort’s appeal, he hinted at maintaining access to beaches and trails for public enjoyment. That assurance gave Rrapaj hope that his tour business could survive—and even thrive—under the resort’s shadow.
“I've been in Costa Smeralda... one of the most exclusive places in all of Italy and you can still go and see it,” Rrapaj said, comparing Sazan’s potential to other elite yet accessible destinations.
Kushner also rejected the idea that his family ties to the president swayed the Albanian government’s decision. “I never met Prime Minister Rama when I was in government,” he said. “Even if I had, it’s not a conflict of interest.”
