Page 48 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 6 | August - September 2024

Given your extensive experience across Anantara brand, and it’ll be
various regions, how do you ensure that a beautiful property, built
Minor Hotels’ properties in Asia maintain a like a palace with 150
balance between local cultural authenticity keys. We’re really excited
and the brand’s global standards? about this opening, as we’re
hoping to further familiarise
Minor Hotels has its roots in Asia, which India, and indeed the Indian
allows us to have a deep cultural immersion diaspora in Southeast Asia,
and understanding of the region. Our the Middle East, and more,
adaptive global standards ensure that we with the brand and the
have comprehensive guidelines in place, bespoke experiences that
while allowing for local interpretation that we provide. We want to
maintains brand values. Additionally, we become synonymous with
listen to our guests and team members, the high standards of luxury
continuously adapting and fine-tuning our and customised service that
offerings. The Jungle Bubble and The we’ve always displayed, and
Vietage are excellent examples of a local expanding further will help
offering that corresponds with guests’ needs to do that. It also provides
for a truly original experience immersed in a great opportunity for
the location.
our team members to
What unique challenges and opportunities experience the wonders of India. scheduled in the next 12 months. The NH
do you foresee in the hospitality industry in What is your vision for the future of Minor Hotel Group’s rebrand to Minor Hotels
Asia, particularly in the post-pandemic era? Hotels in Asia, and how do you plan to Europe & Americas enhances alignment

Global geo-political issues have the potential innovate and stay ahead in the competitive with the parent company and supports its
to greatly impact the hospitality industry in hospitality market? accelerated international expansion. The
Asia. However, history has also taught us My vision is to reinforce Minor Hotels’ group also remains dedicated to sustainability,
that the region is very resilient. Despite any positioning as the leading hospitality company aiming to become a net-zero organization by
challenges we face, guests always return in Asia, renowned for delivering exceptional 2050 and continuing its pioneering efforts in
due to the high quality of service, natural guest experiences that authentically reflect environmental conservation through various
beauty, and rich cultural experiences in the heart and soul of each brand and initiatives worldwide.

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other destination where we operate. Through our Finally, hospitality as an industry is
countries. While talent shortages remain a portfolio of diverse yet complementary brands becoming increasingly popular among the
concern, Minor Hotels’ strong recruitment that cater to a wide range of travellers, we are Thai-Indian community – do you have any
and retention programs, including extensive committed to delivering an experience that personal advice or insight that you’d like
training and opportunities to work across fulfils every need of our guests, from luxury to give them from your longstanding years
the MH network, ensure a solid service seekers to value-conscious explorers. in hospitality?

offering across the network. Additionally, Hospitality is a great business; I believe
opportunities lie in wellness, something Are there any exciting new projects or hospitality and tourism are blessed industries.
Minor Hotels is deeply committed to, as developments in the pipeline for Minor People will continue to travel and they’ll want
evidenced by the soon-to-launch Layan Life Hotels that you can share with us? to experience new things, especially after
at Anantara Layan, alongside Clinique La Minor Hotels has ambitious strategic the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s new zest
Prairie and Vivid Drip Bar. priorities and objectives for the next five
and energy in the industry, and the demand
How do you think Minor Hotels’ expansion years, targeting over 200 new additions is outpacing the supply right now, which is
in India and other parts of Asia will impact to its portfolio by the end of 2026. These leading to better profits if you’re a hotel owner.
the Indian diaspora, especially in terms of expansions will geographically balance the For those who want to enter hospitality as a
tourism and cultural exchange between portfolio, with openings across Asia, Europe, career – there’s nothing like it. You can travel
India and Thailand? the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and all around the world, and with the advent of

Anantara is a global brand that was born Australasia. Anantara is extending its luxury AI, automation, and robotics, I still believe
and experiential offerings into new areas,
in Thailand, and it has gone global. We including historical European properties, that hotels will continue to employ people,
are in more than 20 countries, with over luxury trains, and tented safari camps. The as the industry is all about people and that
50 properties, spanning some amazing group continues to follow its long-standing personal touch. Of course, we are integrating
destinations in Europe, such as the Anantara ‘asset-right’ strategy, aiming to reduce the technology where it’s required in the non-
Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Italy proportion of owned or leased properties from guest-facing areas, to run operations more
and the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel in about 70 percent to 50 percent. Additionally, efficiently and improve productivity, but there
France; the Maldives, including the Anantara Minor Hotels plans to unveil new brands are still many jobs in hotels that will continue
Dhigu Maldives Resort; and the Middle in the coming years to better cater to hotel to be done by people.

East, including the stunning Qasr Al Sarab owners and meet consumer demand, while You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and
Desert Resort By Anantara in Abu Dabhi. focusing on Minor Hotels as the parent learn from people from various cultures, not
And of course guests from around the world company in both B2B and B2C markets. just from the guests you meet but from the
are familiar with our luxe properties closer to people you work with as well. It’s a fascinating
home in Bangkok, Phuket, and more. Recent additions to Minor Hotels’ luxury experience, and it gives you an opportunity to
global footprint include several Anantara
The Anantara opening in Jaipur will be and Tivoli properties across Europe, the take your skill set from one country to another.
our first of many ventures in India with the Finally, it’s a great career option, and my
Middle East, and Asia, with exciting launches advice is, work hard, go for it, and have fun!

48 | MASALA MAGAZINE AUG-SEP 2024