- Accor appoints Amitabh Rai South Asia COO for luxury.
- He oversees Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel brands.
- Rai was multi-property GM for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Jakarta.
Amitabh Rai is Accor Ltd.’s South Asia COO for luxury. He oversees the strategic and operational direction of the company’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Rai was multi-property general manager for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Jakarta, Accor said in a statement. His responsibilities include Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel, overseeing operations, brand positioning and growth.
He began his career with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts after graduating from The Oberoi School of Hotel Management and became one of the youngest general managers in the group. In 2018, he joined Marriott International as general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, India, later overseeing Marriott’s Hyderabad market. His appointment is part of Accor’s consolidation of leadership under its joint venture with InterGlobe, finalized in 2025.
“Amitabh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Accor’s luxury journey in South Asia,” said Ranju Alex, Accor CEO for South Asia. “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.”
Rai said it is a privilege to join Accor at this stage of its luxury hospitality expansion in the region.
“Accor’s commitment to purposeful growth, distinctive brands and people-centric leadership aligns with my values,” he said. “I look forward to working with our teams to create memorable guest experiences, develop talent and build future-ready luxury destinations that are meaningful and sustainable.”
Accor and Dangayach Group are developing the 160-key Sofitel Rishikesh Narendra Nagar in Uttarakhand, India. The hotel will occupy eight acres in Narendra Nagar along the Ganges River and is expected to open in 2030.
