THOMAS van Vliet, CEO of Paramount Hotels and Resorts, says that the Dubai-based hospitality company has started implementing impressive expansion plans in the establishment of hotels and resorts in Dubai to meet the ‘great’ demand for Expo 2020.
The need for high-end hotel units will be simply burgeoning, says van Vilet, pointing out that Paramount is all set to play a key role in the development of Dubai’s hotel and hospitality sector due to its keenness on consolidating its presence in the region.Paramount has recently signed contracts to set up Damac Towers by Paramount Hotels and Resorts in Dubai, which includes a 771-room luxury hotel, in addition to three other residential towers with 1,080 rooms managed by Damac Maison, the hospitality management arm of Damac Properties. “It is expected that this property would open by end of 2016.” The company is working on another property, the Paramount Hotel Jumeirah Waterfront Dubai, which will be located at the waterfront of Maritime City. The Paramount Hotel Jumeirah Waterfront Dubai includes 276 upscale hotel rooms and a variety of the best hotel services, pointing out that this project will be one of the region’s most attractive destinations and an addition to the luxury tourism portfolio in Dubai.Van Vilet also points to the organisation’s newest projects in Dubai, the Damac Villas By Paramount Hotels & Resorts, which consist of 163 luxury villas and will be located within the Akoya development.Paramount will expand in Abu Dhabi and Doha, says van Vilet, and plans to open Damac Tower by Paramount Hotels & Resorts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by 2015. “This project is in the heart of Riyadh and will reflect the glamour of Hollywood and the lifestyle of California. It will include a spa and specialty dining restaurants and five-star hotel services, investors can also rent their units that are operated by Damac Maison, in order to make a notable profit.”The project is located in a strategic area in the heart of the Saudi capital on King Fahd Road, overlooking the Kingdom Tower, the property comprises of 215 studio apartments and other one, two and three residential rooms in addition to a flat located at the rooftop with an area of 932 sq m. The property will be managed by Damac Maison Riyadh, and will include fully equipped kitchens, as well as services that also include valet parking and housekeeping, in-room beauty treatments and a kids club.The company has signed several contracts for the establishment of resorts and hotels in a number of Asian locations, notably in Hainan Island in the Chinese city Boao. Paramount is considering management of hotels in all of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea. He believes the company has a bright future in India, the Maldives, China, Russia, Turkey, Great Britain, Spain and the United States, the Caribbean countries and Brazil.Regionally, Van Vliet believes the tourism industries of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat hold the promise of successful investment opportunities. However, Dubai is where the demand for hospitality is growing quite rapidly, and it follows naturally that Paramount Hotels & Resorts aims to have a bigger share of the emirate’s market. “Millions of visitors will be coming back again and again to Dubai for more shopping, tourism and to participate in various activities, and this is the green light for the development of the tourism sector in Dubai.”Van Vliet has held leadership positions in major hospitality companies for almost 30 years and brings extensive expertise in developing and operating both business and resort hotels across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions. He is not unaware of the stiff competition in the emirate. “We are not alone in the market as there are many companies, but we strive to provide the best services and joined the prestigious hotel network ‘Preferred Hotels and Resorts’, which includes around 800 hotels around the world with over 120,000 rooms.”He points out that Paramount has signed management deals for six hotels in 2013, and by 2014 the figure will double to 14 hotels.