A property developer who invested millions into an archipelago of man-made islands in Dubai roped in a nine-year-old Instagram Influencer to help flog luxury villas on the development.
After the extravagant project was stopped in 2008, The World, which is a chain of 300 islands, was only partially completed.
But enthusiasm for the project has been rekindled in recent years, with the decadent ‘Heart of Europe’ development set to include a luxury 100-villa resort and floating ‘Sea Horse’ homes costing up to €20million.
Even though there is still construction going on, it seems that developers are having difficulty selling property. One marketing executive hired Zayed Karam (an Instagram star child) to help sell luxurious villas in the ‘Island of Sweden.
Appearing on BBC2’s Inside Dubai last night, French expat Delphine – tasked with selling property for Austrian investor Josef Kleindienst – was seen inviting the youngster – who charges £2,000 per post – to one of the properties in the hope he would promote it on social media.
Zayed Karam is one of Dubai’s youngest influencers with more than 30,000 Instagram followers and charges as much as £2,000 per social media post
An investor in property in Dubai brought in an Instagram Influencer, nine years old to sell luxury villas.
The World is a 300-island island chain that follows the lines of the continents. It was created from sand dug from the Gulf. Only a portion of it has been developed.
Located 4km off the coast of Dubai, the 5,000-hectare cluster of man-made islands began in 2003 in a multi-billion plan unveiled by ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Although the islands were advertised as an ideal place to vacation for celebrities and wealthy people, they are not a safe haven. 80 percent of the islands have not been sold 15 years since the construction.
Kleindienst was one of the project’s original investors and spent millions on six islands in the ‘Heart of Europe’ and after raising £5 billion in investment, is keen to build a further 15 five star hotels and more than 100 luxury villas and mansions.
Each of his developments will offer a taste of the country it represents, for example in ‘Spain’ there will be Flamenco bars, gondolas in Venice, while England will feature a street where artificial rain falls every day, all year.
Zayed has over 33,000 followers on Instagram and shares videos to promote coffee brands and restaurants.
In a hilarious video, the nine-year old pretends to be a driver in order to advertise a coffee company.
‘This is a dream come true, and the dream doesn’t have a business plan,’ said Kleindienst appearing on the documentary series.
“My wife opposed it completely and I had to persuade her to join me on this project. It was difficult, as she believed it was too large.
The investor’s right-hand woman Delphine has been tasked with selling the luxury villas on Kleindienst’s six islands, and was seen ‘trying to sell the Island of Sweden to a nine-year-old’ while appearing on the show.
Zayed has more than 33,000 followers on Instagram and shares videos that promote coffee and restaurants.
The influencer paid a high fee to publish a message, but he was able to visit the villa for free and enjoy the artificial snow room.
Delphine stated, “It is exciting and fun to see the reactions of children and when they are positive it sends the message that we’re on the right path.”
Influencer Zayed who has over 33,000 followers on Instagram charged a high fee to post. However, Zayed was able to visit the villa free of charge with the promise that she would enjoy the artificial snowroom.
French expat Delphine, who was assigned to sell property for Josef Kleindienst (Austria) – invited an influencer to assist with the sale of properties
Austrian investor Josef Kleindienst invested millions into the ‘Heart of Europe’ islands in the 300-island chain laid out in the shape of the world’s continents
One viewer wrote: “You can laugh at #insidedubai. The marketing tactic of a property developer persuading an Instagram influencer aged nine to buy multi-million-pound homes on a fake Sandbank and seducing him in a room filled with fake snow speaks volumes about the fate of our planet.
Other travellers wondered why tourists would choose to visit the archipelago over the country. One wrote: “I have never seen Dubai more put off than after seeing that. It’s a horrible place, full of selfish morons. And a small group named for countries that have their culture there. Or “ACTUALLY Visit”.
Delphine, the marketing manager of this chain of “Sweden” islands, also promotes the luxurious floating “Sea Horse”, hotels and villas.
Viewers weren’t impressed with the development, with some stunned the luxurious floating ‘Sea Horse’ hotels and villas cost as much as €20million
“As models post on their Instagram, the destination will become public, so people can see the beauty and experience of the place when they’re there,” she stated.
“We are not only selling dreams, but we also show that the dream can be achieved. It’s possible to live your dream and also dream it.
The floating luxury properties weigh 400 tons once complete and feature bedrooms metres underwater – but with starting costs at €20million, The high price didn’t impress viewers.
One shocked viewer wrote: ‘€20million? Is that right? Holy Hell, these people are crazy’.
‘€20million for a house that could possibly sink’, said another.