Minor Hotels Opens Office in Bengaluru; Targets 50 Hotel Openings in India Within Decade

Dark/Light Mode (02/05/24)  Minor Hotels, a Thailand-based hotel owner and operator with more than 540 properties in 56 countries, is aiming to open 50 hotels in India within the next decade.

The company has had a presence in India since 2017 when it launched Oaks Bodhgaya in the northeast Indian state of Bihar, and later this year, the group's flagship brand, Anantara, will open in Jaipur.

To support its planned expansion, Minor has opened an office in Bengaluru and recently appointed Vijay Krishnan as Vice President of Operations for India.

“We are bullish on the potential of India, and have already been overwhelmed with owner interest, but are proceeding with a 'partnerships over properties' approach,” said Amir Golbarg, SVP for Middle East, Africa and India for Minor Hotels. “That means we are being very selective in the hotels that we add to our portfolio, with our focus on cultivating meaningful alliances with partners who align with our values and vision. Minor's strength has always been in our ability to think globally while acting locally, meaning we are well versed at adapting our standards and operations to suit the unique characteristics of each market we operate in – a trait we believe will give us a strong advantage in India.”

Suite Bedroom at the Anantara Jaipur Hotel

Minor Hotels' brands have already built strong recognition amongst Indian travellers.

For Anantara in particular, India is one of the fastest-growing international source markets, with annual room night production across its Asia and Middle East properties growing 72% in 2023 versus 2022. That trend has continued to date in 2024, with Q1 figures up 36% on last year.

Minor Hotels is also a member of GHA Discovery and revenue generated by GHA hotels in India hit a record US$68 million in 2023, with GHA loyalty members in India also topping 500,000 for the first time, a 21% year-on-year increase.

Indian members spent more at GHA hotels last year than ever before, generating a record US$60 million in hotel revenues, up 46% year-on-year. And, according to research from GHA, its Indian members are planning on average four leisure trips, three staycations and five business trips in 2024, with the top three destinations being Europe, Thailand and Maldives.

Minor Hotels is one of the largest players in each of those markets, with more than 300 properties in Europe, 25 in Thailand and seven in Maldives.

“We believe in India. We believe in its potential as a world-class inbound destination. And we believe in the enormous opportunities that lie in its surging domestic market,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of its parent company Minor International. “That's why we have made substantial investments in establishing our operations there, and will continue to invest there to realise our growth ambitions. With our extensive experience in managing world-class hotels in emerging destinations, coupled with the strong recognition of our existing hotel brands within the Indian market, we are confident in our ability to play a significant role in India's ongoing tourism success story.”

Globally, Minor Hotels is aiming to add more than 200 hotels to its portfolio in the next three years.

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