Major role in Minor for Rajakarier
Bangkok-based Minor Hotel Group, which has recently been active in Australia and New Zealand, has promoted Dillip Rajakarier from chief operating officer to CEO.
Since joining Minor Hotel Group as chief financial officer in March 2007, Rajakarier has been instrumental in the expansion of the hotel portfolio, namely the addition of luxury tented camps and resorts ‘Elewana Afrika’ in Tanzania and Kenya, the acquisition of Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives, strategic hotel investments in Sri Lanka and the recent launch of the upscale Avani Hotels & Resorts brand.
This year Minor Hotel Group acquired Oaks Hotel Group in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.
The investment was spearheaded by Rajakarier and has effectively doubled the Minor Hotel Group portfolio to 73 properties, in addition to providing entry into a new market segment and region.
Rajakarier’s focus will be on growing the hotel group to 150 hotels within the next five years, and expanding the group’s home-grown brands Anantara and Avani, in addition to strategic acquisitions across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
Minor Hotel Group’s expansion also includes the promotion of Ross Crowder to senior vice president project development.
Bill Heinecke, chairman and CEO of Minor International, said the group had increased its hotel portfolio from 36 to 78 this year, while Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas would be developed from 15 to 50 properties by 2015.
Ian Jarrett
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