19 Apr 2012 07:36:09 PM Thursday BdST

Sheraton to return Dhaka again

Ishtiaq Husain, Senior Correspondent banglanews24.com DHAKA : Sheraton hotel, a sister concern of world famous hotel chain Starwood, is going to be started its operation again in Bangladesh. It will start operation from 1 July in 2016. The location of the hotel is strategically fixed on the highway linking Dhaka to the upcoming satellite town of Purbachal where people of the city can have the easy access. Shahjalal International Airport is just four kilometres away from the hotel, according to Starwood website sources. According to Starwood information in next two years, Sheraton is going to open at least five hotels India, one hotel in Malaysia, one in Vietnam. Fortnight tourism newspaper The Bangladesh Monitor Editor Kazi Wahidul Alam told banglanews that they welcome Sheration again in Dhaka. He added: But, we need direct foreign investment in tourism sector rather than management contract service. Sheraton wrapped up its operations in Bangladesh after a long stay for 27 years, and Bangladesh services limited (BSL) took over operations and management on May 1, 2010, renaming it Ruposhi Bangla. Starwood Hotels and Resorts that operated under the brand name of Sheraton had a 25year deal with BSL that expired on December 31, 2008. The company had since extended its contract nine times--three months each time.

In Starwood website mentioned about Dhaka Sheraton, experience the comfort and convenience of one of its 306 guest rooms and suites. Each beautifully-appointed room contains our famously plush Sheraton sweet sleeper bed, an LCD flat screen television with cable and satellite channels, high speed internet access, and premium bath amenities. Executive Levels feature an upscale ambience and the additional benefits of Executive Lounge for an even more memorable stay. It has a facility to meeting or event, 2,637 square meters of versatile function space can be transformed to suit whatever anyone needs. The business center is always available with support services, and our planning and catering teams will help make your experience memorable and stress-free. The Sheraton Dhaka Hotel can easily accommodate gatherings any large conferences and weddings, in its seven function rooms, totaling 2,637 square meters. Dedicated banquet and catering team will gladly serve customers. Some of the services and facilities above may not be available on a 24-hour basis or without advance requests. Intercontinental had run the state-owned hotel before Sheraton took over management in 1983. Moreover, Sheraton gives a nice description about Dhaka city to attract Dhaka city. According to website Dhaka is located on the banks of the Buriganga River. The Sheraton Dhaka Hotel is centrally located along the Purbachal Link Road, just 5 kilometres from Gulshan and 6 kilometres from the new satellite town of Purbachal. Dhaka has more rickshaws than any other city in the world. Once ruled by the Mughals in the 17th century, Dhaka is filled with hundreds of mosques, important monuments, memorials, and parks. Designed by the famous architect Louis Khan, the National Parliament House is an impressive, must-see attraction. The palatial Bangahaban is the official residence and office of the president of Bangladesh. Nestled along the river, the magnificent Ahsan Manzil is one of the citys most famous buildings. Now converted into a museum, the pink structure is filled with Nawab relics.

More history can be viewed at the National Museum, one of South Asias largest. The Mughal palace fortress of Lalbagh Fort is another top attraction, highlighted by the tomb of Pari Bibi, its mosque, and the Diwan-i-Aam. Visit a village to see jute cultivation, weaving, and pottery making, or see the old Bengali capital of Sonargaon, located about 30 kilometres from the city. In Savar, the National Memorial, designed by Syed Moinul Hossain, is dedicated to those who died during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. BDST: 1926 HRS, APR 19, 2012

FRONT PAGE Unique Group to build 3 more 5-star hotels in Dhaka, Ctg

-A Monitor Report Dhaka : In a historic move, Unique Hote owning company of Westin Dhaka has d Westin (to be more appropriate, the exten Gulshan, a Le Meridien hotel in Banani a Chittagong.

This is the largest ever development prog industry of Bangladesh. The cost of the t Taka 2,000 crore or 300 million US dolla

Unique Hotel and Resorts Ltd and Starw signed a Memorandum of Understanding properties. Noor Ali, Managing Director, Unique Hotel and Resorts and Don Elliot, Regi and Resorts signed the MoU on behalf of their respective companies at a function in Dha

The Starwood Hotel and Resort will have no equity participation. The Unique Group wil banks and IPO.

Dr. Mashiur Rah-man, Adviser to the Prime Minis-ter was the chief guest. Dr. S. A. Sam the Board of Invest-ment; Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, MP, State Minister for Housin Nicklaus Bean, Charge d? Affairs of US Embassy were the guest of honour. Also present Mancharam, Vice President Development, Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide Inc. A people from different walks of life including hospitality industry attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Noor Ali said that the Westin Dhaka second unit across the roa rooms. "Le Meridian" - a new five star hotel with 250 rooms will be at Banani and The W rooms will be building in partnership with Md. Showkat Ali Chowdhury.

"This signing ceremony signifies the strengthening of Unique Group's partnership with S of reinforcing the economic development of Bangladesh. These three new 5-star hotels w generation, foreign exchange earning and boost up over all economic activities and Touri

He said that the construction of the new hotels will involve an investment of about Tk. 20 US$ 300 million. Along with injecting new investment into the country, the completion o

employment for at least 1500 people within the hotels and few thousands more in related country through backward and forward linkages. We expect to complete these three projects, within 3-4 years time, he added.

Drawing the attention of the government, Noor Ali said "during the construction and laun Dhaka, we faced formidable obstacles from many quarters of the then govt. In particular, tariff on most of the imported materials. Although some other projects were allowed conc and no VAT, Ait, our prayer to the then finance minister against this discriminatory treat to take financing at 15+ per cent bank interest. Even today we pay 591 per cent duty on A Beer, 147.5 per cent duty on chocolates, 86.43 per cent duty on Imported water and so on duties than regional counties. Without these bottlenecks, high tariffs and interest rates, w four hotels abroad with the same amount of investment as was invested on Westin Dhaka

Talking to The Bangladesh Monitor prior to signing the MoU, Noor Ali said that demand in Dhaka is at present increasing at the rate of 15 per cent a year. In coming years the dem further. In such a situation, his company is coming up with this huge investment looking

The Managing Director of the Unique Group is optimistic about prospect of Westin hotel

Noor Ali told Bangladesh Monitor that he has a plan to build a Sheraton hotel in Cox's B these three properties.