Accor has 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 the Raffles, Fairmont, and Sofitel brands.
A Proven Leader in Global Luxury Hospitality
A dynamic and award-winning hospitality leader, Amitabh brings nearly three decades of experience across India and Indonesia, spanning senior leadership roles and a seven-year entrepreneurial venture. Renowned for building empowered teams and driving high-impact performance, he has consistently delivered strong results while navigating complex business environments.
Career Journey and Global Experience
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, and later assumed 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, further strengthening his global luxury hospitality credentials.
Accor Leadership on the Appointment
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.”
Role and Strategic Mandate
In his new role, Amitabh will be responsible for defining and executing Accor’s long-term strategic vision for its luxury and lifestyle brands in South Asia, while providing strong operational leadership and strategic support across the portfolio. His mandate includes driving financial excellence, strengthening brand differentiation, and fostering a culture of learning, trust, and innovation.
A Vision for Purposeful Luxury Growth
Speaking on his appointment, Amitabh Rai said, “It is a privilege to join Accor at such an exciting moment for luxury hospitality and the group’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.”
