Frits van Paasschen heads a hotel company with properties around the world — including many in South Florida. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is on a hotel opening spree. Last year, the global company — whose nine brands include Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St. Regis and Element — added 81 new hotels around the world. This year, another 80 or so are on tap to open — and 2012 has gotten off to a strong start in South Florida, where both the luxury St. Regis Bal Harbour and the earthy Element Miami International Airport have opened since the beginning of the year.

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