Thailand-based consultancy Mai-BS has announced that it is to expand into Bangladesh as part of an agreement with Dominox Legend Holdings.

The deal will see the two companies embark on a number of hotel and resort developments, starting with the 167-room Cox's Bazar boutique resort development. To be called Imagine, the property will include two spa treatment rooms, two Thai massage treatment rooms and four foot massage treatment rooms.

Spa facilities at the Cox's Bazar hotel will have a focus on Asian herb and natural products, with therapists to be recruited from Thailand. Mai-BS managing director Klaus Rauter said: "Bangladesh does have a critical shortage of hotel rooms, and now this destination has been discovered by tourists.

"The destination is high potential and I know of several international hotel groups which have already signed management contracts to expand into Bangladesh." Plans are also afoot for schemes at Chittagong and Inani Beach, while the agreement comes weeks after the company signed a deal to develop a 350-room and villa resort in Thailand.

The Patong Beach resort, being developed alongside Yangrangsi Company, will incorporate a spa located between natural rocks and trees and boasting 14-16 treatment rooms. A natural waterfall will also flow through the centre of the spa facilities at the new hotel, which is yet to be named but is scheduled to open by the end of 2012.