Accor names Amitabh Rai as luxury chief operating officer for South Asia

MUMBAI: Accor has appointed Amitabh Rai as chief operating officer for its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in South Asia, effective January 15, 2026, as the global hospitality group sharpens its focus on premium brand growth across the region.

Rai will oversee the operational and strategic direction of Accor’s luxury brands, including Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel, with a mandate to drive performance, strengthen brand differentiation and deliver distinctive guest experiences.

A hospitality veteran with nearly three decades of experience across India and Indonesia, Rai began his career with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts after graduating from the Oberoi School of Hotel Management. He later joined Marriott International, serving as general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bengaluru, before leading Marriott’s Hyderabad market and most recently managing The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott properties in Jakarta.

Accor South Asia CEO Ranju Alex, said Rai’s operational expertise and people-first leadership would be key to shaping the next phase of growth for the group’s luxury brands in the region.