Accor announce appointment of Amitabh Rai as Chief Operating Officer – Luxury, Accor South Asia

2026-02-10 12:02:08 Business

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India – Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announced the appointment of Amitabh Rai as Chief Operating Officer – Luxury, Accor South Asia, effective 15 January 2026. In this strategic leadership role, Amitabh will spearhead the operational and strategic direction of Accor’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio across South Asia, with a clear focus on delivering distinctive luxury experiences, thoughtful brand curation, and sustained performance excellence for Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel brands.

A dynamic and award-winning hospitality leader, Amitabh brings nearly three decades of experience across India and Indonesia, spanning various leadership roles and a seven-year entrepreneurial venture. Renowned for building empowered teams and inspiring high-impact performance, he has consistently delivered exceptional results while navigating complex business environments.

Amitabh began his hospitality journey with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts after graduating from The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, swiftly rising to become one of the youngest General Managers of his time. In 2018, he joined Marriott International as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, later assuming responsibility for overseeing Marriott’s entire Hyderabad market. Most recently, he served as Multi-Property General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Jakarta, strengthening his global luxury hospitality credentials.

Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex, Chief Executive Officer, Accor South Asia, said, “Amitabh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Accor’s luxury journey in South Asia. His deep operational expertise, people-first leadership style and sharp strategic lens make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Amitabh has a rare ability to balance brand integrity with commercial excellence, and we are confident he will play a defining role in shaping the next phase of growth for our luxury brands in the region.”

In his new role, Amitabh will be responsible for defining and executing Accor’s long-term strategic vision for luxury and lifestyle brands in South Asia, while providing strong operational leadership and strategic support across the portfolio. His mandate will include driving financial excellence, strengthening brand differentiation, and fostering a culture of learning, trust and innovation.”

Speaking on his appointment, Amitabh Rai, Chief Operating Officer – Luxury, Accor South Asia, said, “It is a privilege to join Accor at such an exciting moment for luxury hospitality and Accor’s expansion plans in the region. Accor’s commitment to purposeful growth, distinctive brands, and people-centric leadership strongly resonates with my own values. I look forward to working closely with our teams to craft memorable guest experiences, nurture talent and build future-ready luxury destinations that are both meaningful and sustainable.”

Known for leading with empathy, Amitabh places strong emphasis on team development, stakeholder collaboration and long-term value creation. An avid golfer with a deep passion for unique experiences, he brings a holistic understanding of luxury hospitality that blends operational rigour with experiential finesse.

ABOUT ACCOR

Accoris a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,700 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as lifestyle, with Ennismore. ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.