Accor Elevates Its Luxury Vision in South Asia With the Appointment of Amitabh Rai as Chief Operating Officer - Luxury

02 February, 2026 | India

Accor, one of the world's most influential hospitality groups, has announced the appointment of Amitabh Rai as Chief Operating Officer - Luxury, Accor South Asia, effective 15 January 2026. The appointment marks a decisive step in strengthening Accor's luxury and lifestyle ambitions across the region.

In his new role, Amitabh will lead the strategic and operational direction of Accor's luxury portfolio in South Asia, with a sharp focus on elevating guest experiences, curating distinctive brand narratives, and driving sustained performance excellence across Raffles, Fairmont, and Sofitel.

A Leader Shaped by Global Luxury Hospitality

Amitabh brings with him nearly three decades of leadership experience across India and Indonesia, blending corporate stewardship with entrepreneurial insight. Widely respected for his people-first leadership style and ability to unlock high-impact performance, he has successfully navigated complex, multi-market hospitality environments while delivering consistent results.

A graduate of The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, Amitabh began his career with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, where he rose rapidly to become one of the youngest General Managers of his generation. In 2018, he joined Marriott International, serving as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, before assuming broader responsibility for Marriott's Hyderabad portfolio. Most recently, he held the role of Multi-Property General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Jakarta, further strengthening his global luxury credentials.

Strategic Timing for Accor's Luxury Growth

Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex, Chief Executive Officer, Accor South Asia, said:

"Amitabh's appointment comes at a pivotal moment in Accor's luxury journey in South Asia. His deep operational expertise, people-centric leadership philosophy, and strategic clarity make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our luxury and lifestyle portfolio. He brings 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."

Mandate - Performance, Differentiation, and Culture

As Chief Operating Officer - Luxury, Amitabh will be responsible for shaping and executing Accor's long-term luxury and lifestyle strategy in South Asia. His mandate spans operational leadership, financial excellence, brand differentiation, and the cultivation of a culture rooted in trust, learning, and innovation.

Speaking on his appointment, Amitabh Rai said:

"It is a privilege to join Accor at such an exciting moment for luxury hospitality in South Asia. 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 create memorable guest experiences, nurture talent, and build future-ready luxury destinations that are both meaningful and sustainable."

A Human-Centric Vision of Luxury

Known for leading with empathy and intent, Amitabh places strong emphasis on team development, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term value creation. An avid golfer with a passion for immersive experiences, he brings a nuanced understanding of modern luxury - where operational rigour meets emotional resonance.

About Accor

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences in over 110 countries, with more than 5,700 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars and restaurants, wellness facilities, and flexible workspaces. The Group operates one of the most diverse hospitality ecosystems in the industry, encompassing 45+ hotel brands from luxury to economy, including lifestyle brands through Ennismore.

The ALL Accor booking platform and loyalty programme extends the Accor promise beyond the hotel stay, offering members access to exclusive experiences worldwide. Accor is committed to responsible hospitality - championing ethical business practices, sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, community engagement, diversity, and inclusion.

Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and is listed on Euronext Paris (CAC 40) and the OTC Market in the United States (Ticker: ACCYY).