Bhaiya Group expands tourism footprint with major hotel projects in Cox's Bazar

Dhaka : Bhaiya Group is expanding its presence in Bangladesh's hospitality and tourism sector with a portfolio of hotel and resort projects in Cox's Bazar, Inani, Sylhet and Kuakata, as demand for tourism-related investment grows.

Talking to The Bangladesh Monitor, Mohammed Forhad Uddin, Deputy Director of Bhaiya Group, said four properties are being developed under Bhaiya Hotels and Resorts Ltd., with the company seeking to build large-scale hospitality facilities aimed at both tourists and investors.

Eden Bay approaches completion

One of the group's flagship developments is Eden Bay at Kolatoli Beach in Cox's Bazar. The project consists of three 13-story towers and is being developed on more than 27 katha of land.

Construction has progressed substantially, and the company expects to hand over the property by the end of 2027. Each tower will have six suites on the sixth floor, creating a total of 18 suites.

Uddin said the company plans to make those suites available on a trial basis early next year. Existing customers and investors who have purchased shares or suites will be invited to stay at the property and provide feedback before the full operation begins.

Mohammed Forhad Uddin

The project is being positioned as a five-star-standard tourist accommodation facility, with the company aiming to combine hotel services with an ownership model for investors.

Salt Bay targets Inani

Bhaiya Group is also developing Salt Bay on approximately 70 katha of beachfront land at Inani Beach. The project will comprise three towers, with heights of 13, 15 and 16 stories.

Uddin described Salt Bay as the group's highest-standard hotel project and said it is being designed as a destination where guests can access accommodation, entertainment and leisure facilities in one location.

Planned amenities include a cinema hall, bar, jacuzzi, play zone, amusement park and large banquet halls, alongside other modern hotel facilities.

Construction is underway, with completion and handover targeted for 2030.

"We are doing more than what we had earlier committed," Uddin said, adding that the company has introduced new features to the project as development progresses.

Investment model

Sales of shares and suites in Eden Bay and Salt Bay are currently underway. Investors can choose between installment payments and making a full payment upfront, with the latter offering a lower purchase price, according to Uddin.

He said buyers who complete full payment can receive registration immediately and that ownership can be transferred.

The group argues that hotel ownership can provide an alternative to conventional real estate investment because buyers do not need to purchase an entire apartment or plot of land. Instead, they can acquire a share in a hotel project with a comparatively smaller initial investment.

Investment in the Cox's Bazar projects starts at BDT 3 lakh per share. The group also has projects in Sylhet and Kuakata, including Greenwich Hill Station in Sylhet and Bay Front in Kuakata, where share prices range from BDT 2 lakh to BDT 8 lakh.

Uddin said investors could benefit from both operating income and capital appreciation. He also highlighted an annual accommodation benefit, under which investors can stay at the hotel for two nights and three days.

However, he acknowledged that financial returns ultimately depend on the commercial performance of the hotels.

Focus on professional management

To address that concern, Bhaiya Hotels and Resorts has brought in international hospitality expertise for Eden Bay. The company has signed an MoU with Thai-based Unicorn Hospitality Management to manage the project.

Uddin said the management company would oversee hotel operations with the goal of maintaining international standards and improving the property's ability to attract guests.

For the group's other projects, Bhaiya is also exploring partnerships with international hotel management companies. Uddin said the company intends to work with foreign operators rather than local management firms.

Wider tourism strategy

Bhaiya Group, which has more than five decades of business experience, sees hospitality and tourism real estate as an area with potential for long-term growth.

The company says its projects are designed to combine investment opportunities with lifestyle benefits, including income from hotel operations, potential increases in property value and discounted or complimentary stays.

Beyond Cox's Bazar, the group's planned developments in Sylhet and Kuakata indicate an effort to establish a broader tourism portfolio rather than concentrating exclusively on one destination.

As Bangladesh's tourism infrastructure continues to develop, Bhaiya Group is positioning its hotel projects as a way for smaller investors to participate in the hospitality sector while leaving day-to-day operations to professional management teams.