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The introduction of iconic Indian “Taj” and “Vivanta” hotel brands in Bangladesh will add a new level in the country’s hotel and hospitality management sector for the better, says Unique Group and Borak Real Estate Ltd (BREL) Managing Director Mohd Noor Ali.
The journey with Taj and Vivanta will contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy and GDP. The government will also earn minimum Tk 100-150 crore yearly from this, he said.
BREL, a concern of Unique Group, introduced the renowned hotel brands for the first time in the country’s history at a programme in Dhaka on Monday. Noor Ali made the remarks at the Hotel Management Agreement signing ceremony between BREL and Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) at Sheraton Dhaka.
The agreement was signed by Noor Ali on behalf of BREL and IHCL Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Development Suma Venkatesh and Executive Vice President and General Counsel Rajendra Mishra on behalf of IHCL.
IHCL Associate Vice President of Real Estate and Development Rohan Ranade and BREL Chairperson Salina Ali were also present, among others, at the event.
Under the agreement, IHCL (Operator) will be operating its brands Taj and Vivanta at Gulshan 2 in partnership with BREL (Owner).
Unique Group is also the owning company of Unique Hotel and Resorts, which is the leading hotel and hospitality management company in Bangladesh successfully operating Marriott International’s 5-star hotels The Westin Dhaka and Sheraton Dhaka and a 4-star boutique hotel HANSA-A Premium Residence.
Noor Ali said that the Westin and Sheraton hospitality business have changed a lot of things in Bangladesh, like lifestyle, hospitality and cleaning cultures.
“I am sure we will learn more from Taj. I also like Taj’s hospitality, service, culture, ambience and other things,” he added.
“For many occasions, our people, especially ladies, visit India for buying Indian goods like saree,” he said, adding that Taj’s building here will not only have 360 rooms, but it will also have high-end shops and jewellery and other shops as well.
“I am sure our people will receive the Indian taste in Bangladesh. We are expecting that from Taj. I am confident that 1.10 lakh people will get the services from Taj. From the shops and restaurant, at least 150,000 to 200,000 guests will receive their hospitality. And 1,500-2,000 workers and associates will work in this building’s hotel, shops and restaurants,” said Noor Ali.
Unique Group is committed to create more and more opportunities in the hospitality industry by breaking barriers and through value addition for the country and for the group, he added.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali was the chief guest at the event. He said that Bangladesh and India share common heritage and history. Cooperation in the tourism and hospitality industry between the two friendly countries bound by nature, history and culture will open new horizons for the development of this industry.
“This agreement signed between two reputed institutions of Bangladesh and India will allow us to exchange our mutual experiences in the tourism and hospitality industry. It will give us an opportunity to showcase our sub-continental hospitality and culture together to the world,” he said.
Unique Hotel and Resorts CEO Shakawath Hossain said that Taj and Vivanta will contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy and employ at least 2,000 people.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman and Nitol Niloy Group Chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmad were present as special guests along with many other dignitaries, including all partners of Tata Group in Bangladesh and high officials of both BREL and IHCL.
