Minor Hotels has appointed Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, as the company accelerates its growth in South Asia.
Khattri, who will be based in New Delhi, India, will report to Omar Romero, Chief Development & Luxury Officer at Minor Hotels. He will work closely with the company’s Asia Business Development team. His new role involves identifying development opportunities in these countries, overseeing projects from site selection to hotel openings, and driving the expansion of Minor Hotels’ brands, especially in India. He will also collaborate with the operations team to ensure projects meet brand standards and maintain operational efficiency.
With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Khattri has a strong track record in hotel development across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He started his career in 2008 with The Indian Hotels Company Limited, where he helped expand the TAJ brand in these regions. In 2011, Khattri joined IHG to lead development efforts in Southwest Asia, and later managed development for IHG across the Middle East and Africa.
Khattri holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Delhi University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from the International Management Institute in Delhi.
Omar Romero, Chief Development & Luxury Officer at Minor Hotels, expressed his enthusiasm about Khattri’s appointment, saying, “Shobhit’s deep knowledge of the South Asian hospitality market and his proven leadership in complex development projects make him the perfect fit to accelerate our growth in this key region.”
Khattri also shared his excitement about the role, stating, “I am excited to join Minor Hotels during such an exciting time. The group’s diverse portfolio and ambitious growth plans are a great match with my experience. I look forward to contributing to the next stage of expansion in India.”
Minor Hotels made its first step into India’s luxury hospitality market with the opening of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur in November 2024. This marks the group’s first Anantara hotel and its first luxury property in the country. The 150-key hotel combines traditional Rajasthani craftsmanship with luxury, offering an immersive cultural experience, featuring intricate Tikri work, gold-leafing, and stone carving by skilled artisans.
The opening of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur is just the start of Minor Hotels’ plans in India. The company aims to open 50 new hotels in the next ten years, focusing on the premium and luxury segments. Recently, Minor Hotels signed an agreement for the first Avani-branded resort in India, the Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort.
With a strong focus on creating unique destinations, Minor Hotels plans to introduce its Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection brands to untapped markets across India. The company aims to offer high-end, experiential stays to both domestic and international travelers, while also expanding the NH Collection brand into tier-two and three cities, as well as airport locations.
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