Jaunted

Trouble over Trump Burj Knockoff

5/21/2008 at 3:45 PM
Tags: Hotels, Luxury Travel, Donald Trump, Dubai Travel, Big Things (all tags)

The developers of the Trump Ocean Club in Panama City just obtained a protective order against Dubai's Jumeirah Group from a Panamanian court. The Ocean Clubbers say they've faced "veiled threats of legal action" from the Middle Eastern luxury hotel chain because Jumeirah feels that Trump's new $220 million tower copies the design of their flagship Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

The Trump Ocean Club, pictured at right, does look a lot like the Burj, at left, but you'd think Jumeirah would be flattered. The Burj Al Arab's sail-style construction has been described by critics as the "pinnacle of tackiness," so it's no surprise that Trump would admire the design. Besides, it's not like the Trump folks copied the Burj's amazing rooftop tennis court.

Jumeirah hasn't tried to sue yet, and we doubt they actually will: This whole thing smells like a Trump publicity stunt. Selling your place as a Burj knockoff is probably a lot easier than getting mega-rich tourists excited about Panama City.

Related Stories:
· Trump Ocean Club [Official Site]
· Trump Project in Panama Goes to Court [IHT]
· Trump Tower Developer Gets Order of Protection [La Prensa]

[Photo: IHT]

0 Comments - Add Yours by Hunter Walker

Panama City, FL: Drop In On Joe Francis, 'Cause He's Not Going Anywhere

4/24/2007 at 9:05 AM
Tags: Celeb Travel, Crime (all tags)

Are you a girl? Do you want to go wild? Better do it in Panama City, FL, where the founder of Girls Gone Wild is serving 23 days of jail time for contempt of court.

Joe Francis, who built an empire on offering girls free hats for a quick peek at the goodies, is facing charges of tax evasion and failure to pay fines on a previous charge of capturing minors gone wild. Francis could use some visitors; he's not having a good time in the Bay County Jail, having already attempted to smuggle in prescription drugs and bottled water by bribing a guard, according to Celebitchy. (And like many of his exploits, that was caught on tape. Oops?)

The good news is, it is now safe to go wild in the Panama City area.

[Photo: Celebrity Gossip]

1 Comment - Add Yours by egw