The Guardian highlights Kushner’s $1B Sazan Island project: “Trump Island” to become luxury Mediterranean haven
Jared Kushner’s ambitious plan to turn Albania’s Sazan Island into a luxury tourism destination is once again making headlines—this time in The Guardian, which dedicated an in-depth feature to what it calls one of the most talked-about Mediterranean development projects.
Why is this important: Described as a “jewel of the Mediterranean,” Sazan Island is now at the center of a $1 billion investment led by Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump. The plan has generated global interest not only because of the Trump family’s involvement, but also due to the site’s untouched natural beauty and strategic location between the Adriatic and Ionian seas.
Context: Once a military zone, the island remains virtually undeveloped. According to The Guardian, locals have started calling it “Trump Island.” The article paints a vivid picture of the island’s terrain—likening its surreal landscape of giant ash trees, evergreens, and rocky cliffs to something “out of a Spielberg movie.”
The project, as reported, aims to transform the island into an ultra-exclusive retreat. The Albanian government has committed to providing major incentives: zero taxes during the construction phase, as well as full infrastructure support including water, electricity, and waste systems.
In a phone call with The Guardian, Kushner reportedly expressed strong enthusiasm for the site, signaling his personal commitment to seeing the project through.
What else: Prime Minister Edi Rama, cited in the article, defended the project as a strategic opportunity: “We can’t afford not to use a gift like Sazan,” he said, adding that “Albania needs luxury tourism like a desert needs water.”
The Guardian also highlights the country’s broader tourism boom, crediting Rama’s leadership for positioning Albania as “the Balkan economic tiger” and one of Europe’s rising travel destinations.
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