Few business leaders have consistently positioned themselves at the centre of transformational growth stories quite like Liakat Sultan Dhanji. Across a career spanning technology, consulting, real estate, tourism, and entertainment, he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to identify emerging opportunities before they become mainstream. Whether recognising the potential of Asia’s economic rise, understanding shifts in Thailand’s housing market, or pioneering globally branded attractions, his approach has remained rooted in long-term thinking and strategic execution.

Today, as Chairman & CEO of Amazon Falls Co. Ltd., the company behind Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Dhanji is once again focused on the future, this time through the lens of immersive entertainment and destination tourism.

TAKE US THROUGH YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY. WHAT WERE THE PIVOTAL MILESTONES THAT SHAPED YOUR CAREER?

“My career began at IBM’s Large Systems Division, where I learned the importance of long-term thinking and delivering measurable value. Our clients included airlines, banks, and insurance companies where customer retention was critical. That focus on consistency, integrity, and value creation has remained with me throughout my career.”

Dhanji credits both IBM and several influential mentors for helping shape his strategic mindset. A major turning point arrived in 1990 when he relocated to Asia during one of the region’s most significant periods of economic transformation.

“Being in Asia at that moment placed me on a path aligned with extraordinary growth. From consulting in Hong Kong to leading Golden Land and eventually developing globally branded theme parks, each stage built upon the previous one.”

Building successful destination businesses requires more than strategic vision. It demands the ability to maintain culture, standards, and execution while managing constant change.

HOW DO YOU CULTIVATE AND SUSTAIN STRONG ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE DURING PERIODS OF RAPID GROWTH?

“It starts with leadership by example. If you expect commitment, honesty, and teamwork, you must demonstrate those values yourself. Teams reflect what they see.”

For Dhanji, culture is reinforced through accountability and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. “You cannot tolerate mediocrity. One weak link can lower standards across the entire organization. At the same time, rapid growth requires decisive action, informed judgment, and the willingness to adapt quickly when circumstances change.”

He also believes that strong leaders surround themselves with talented individuals who challenge assumptions rather than simply agree with them. “As Andy Grove famously said, ‘Only the paranoid survive.’ You must continually assess the competitive landscape and surround yourself with people confident enough to tell you when you’re wrong.”

The launch of Columbia Pictures Aquaverse represented more than the creation of a new attraction. It was part of a larger vision to strengthen Thailand’s position as a world-class entertainment and tourism destination.

WHAT WAS THE STRATEGIC VISION BEHIND COLUMBIA PICTURES AQUAVERSE?

“The strategy was straightforward. Thailand needed a globally branded destination capable of competing with world-class attractions across the region. Partnering with Sony gave us access to one of the strongest entertainment ecosystems in the world.”

With franchises including Spider-Man, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Venom, and Hotel Transylvania, Sony’s intellectual property portfolio provided a unique opportunity to create an attraction with broad international appeal.

The project also aligns with Thailand’s broader tourism ambitions. “Countries today must think about branding themselves just as businesses do. Aquaverse contributes to elevating Thailand’s brand across tourism, entertainment, and hospitality.” While many attractions compete through size and scale, Aquaverse has chosen a different path.

WHAT SETS AQUAVERSE APART IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE ATTRACTIONS MARKET?

“Our philosophy has always been simple: think global, act local.” The park combines globally recognised brands with pricing and experiences designed to encourage repeat visitation by local families. Dhanji believes this balance is critical to long-term success.

Beyond the attractions themselves, Aquaverse has invested heavily in immersive entertainment, staging multiple live shows daily and building a strong music-driven culture throughout the park.

The approach has already delivered results. Despite being only a few years old, Aquaverse has received recognition from organisations including CNN, TripBest, MAFTA, and TDM Theme Park of the Year. “Theme parks are a long-term business. We are still only at the beginning of the journey.”

Throughout his career, Dhanji has demonstrated a consistent ability to identify market gaps before they become obvious.

WHAT MARKET INSIGHTS LED YOU TO DEVELOP A GLOBALLY BRANDED ATTRACTION DESTINATION?

“After the 1997 financial crisis, I identified a major gap in Thailand’s housing market and invested accordingly. The same thinking applied to attractions.” He believed tourism would continue expanding rapidly and that Thailand would eventually require globally recognised destinations capable of competing with the best attractions in the region.

The Bangkok-Pattaya-Rayong corridor also played a significant role in that vision. “With improved connectivity and the upcoming high-speed rail link, this region is evolving into a major metropolitan hub. Accessibility will continue to strengthen Aquaverse’s long-term growth potential.”

Digital transformation has become one of the most important drivers of visitor engagement and business performance.

HOW IS YOUR DIGITAL STRATEGY DRIVING VISITOR GROWTH?

“Digital marketing is one of our most powerful growth engines.” Aquaverse currently develops native-language content across multiple markets, supported by an in-house creative team and growing AI capabilities that accelerate translation, localisation, and content production.

The company is also investing in loyalty platforms, enhanced digital experiences, and AI-driven productivity improvements designed to improve speed-to-market and customer engagement. Looking ahead, Dhanji sees artificial intelligence and robotics reshaping every aspect of the attractions industry.

WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGIC VISION FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER?

“The next era will be defined by advances in artificial intelligence and robotics.” He believes AI will dramatically increase productivity across business functions, while robotics and automation will transform operational areas ranging from maintenance and food service to guest experiences.

At the same time, advances in construction technology, experiential design, lighting, and immersive media will create entirely new possibilities for destination development. “My responsibility is to prepare the company, and our people, for these shifts. The leaders who embrace transformation early will shape the future.”