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Shakawath wins Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative of the Year award
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 03 Oct 2026, 11:57 PM
Md Shakawath Hossain, CEO of Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC, is receiving the Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative of the Year Award at a ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on 3 October 2026. Photo: Courtesy
Md Shakawath Hossain, CEO of Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC, has received the Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative of the Year Award at the first Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026.
He received the award for his copyrighted intellectual property, “Shakawath’s Six Control Points for Food Cost Optimisation”, which aims to reduce food waste, cut costs and promote efficient use of resources in the hospitality sector.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat handed over the award at a ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Tourism Board, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, organised the event as part of the celebrations marking World Tourism Day 2026.
The award recognised achievements in 16 categories covering tourism, hospitality, innovation and sustainability.
Among those present were Abul Kalam Azad Siddique, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Fahmida Akhter, NDC, secretary of the ministry; Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board; and Md Shamimuzzaman, chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.
The judging panel recognised the Six Control Points framework for its practical application in food cost management and contribution to sustainable hospitality.
“This award marks a significant milestone for the Six Control Points initiative and reflects its contribution to sustainable hospitality,” Shakawath said.
“We are working to take the framework nationwide across Bangladesh’s hospitality sector and explore opportunities for its future adoption across international hotel and restaurant chains,” he added.
Shakawath, who has more than 25 years of professional experience, heads Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC, the owner of The Westin Dhaka, Sheraton Dhaka and HANSA – A Premium Residence.
He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Dhaka, where he is pursuing a PhD. He holds MPhil and MBA degrees in the discipline.
His previous honours include Tourism Face of South Asia at the South Asian Travel Awards 2024, Best Hospitality Icon at the American Curry Awards 2025, Tourism Leadership Excellence Award 2026 and Who’s Who Bangladesh Award 2026.