Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed two agreements with Asian Resorts Holding to manage hotels in Cox’s Bazar and in the capital, Dhaka, marking the upscale international hotel company’s first foray into Bangladesh.

The Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Cox’s Bazar is due to open in 2015 and has a prime location on the longest beach in the world. The site also takes advantage of the close proximity to Cox’s Bazar Airport (10 km) and is one hour’s flying time from Dhaka.

The hotel will incorporate modern architectural elements in its 18 floors with sea-facing rooms and bathrooms, a statement from the hotel said. The 280 rooms and suites will range from 36 sq m up to 70 sq m.

Catering to the anticipated high demand of leisure guests, mainly from Bangladesh, India and other South Asian countries, a selection of restaurants, bars, meeting rooms and leisure facilities will be available.

The Mövenpick Hotel Dhaka which is expected to open in 2015, will offer 275 guestrooms, the statement said.

Dhaka is well connected to destinations in Europe, Middle East and South East Asia and the project will include facilities to suit both the business and leisure traveller, including a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a spa, and five restaurants and bars, one of which will be a specialised art lounge café, displaying local creative talent.  

Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Asia, said: “These projects in Bangladesh are key milestones for us and signify our development within Asia. It is a partnership that will allow us to tap into the potential of the Bangladesh market and we are looking forward to working with Asian Resorts Holding and taking the Mövenpick hospitality to the country.”

Usama Aziz, chairman of Asian Resorts Holding, said: “The travel and tourism sector in Bangladesh has experienced significant growth in recent years and its direct contribution to the country’s gross domestic product is forecasted to rise further by 7.3 per cent in 2012. Our agreement with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will capitalise on that growth in order to offer the traveller an upscale experience in a country rich with heritage.” 

Bangladesh is one of the emerging economies in the world and every year it attracts an increased number of leisure and business travellers.

With its numerous historical and archeological sites, it has the longest natural unbroken sea beach in the world (124 km) and is home to several World Heritage Sites.

Bangladesh also features Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Asia has been a major focus for expansion for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts with the hotel company already operating two hotels in Thailand and Vietnam and one each in India, Singapore and the Philippines. – TradeArabia News Service