Accor Appoints Amitabh Rai as COO – Luxury for South Asia

Accor Appoints Amitabh Rai as COO – Luxury for South Asia

By Hariharan U

Published on February 16, 2026

Accor has announced the appointment of Amitabh Rai as chief operating officerluxury, South Asia, strengthening its leadership team at a crucial phase of regional expansion.

In this strategic role, Rai will lead the operational and strategic direction of Accor’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio across South Asia. His mandate includes delivering distinctive guest experiences and driving sustained performance across the group’s marquee brands, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Sofitel.

With nearly three decades of hospitality experience across India and Indonesia, Rai is recognised for building empowered teams and navigating complex business environments with consistent results. He began his career with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts after graduating from The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, going on to become one of the youngest general managers of his time.

In 2018, he joined Marriott International as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore and later oversaw Marriott’s Hyderabad market. Most recently, he served as Multi-Property General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta and JW Marriott, Jakarta, further strengthening his global luxury credentials.

Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex, Chief Executive Officer, Accor South Asia, said, “Amitabh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Accor’s luxury journey in South Asia. His deep operational expertise, people-first leadership style and sharp strategic lens make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our luxury and lifestyle portfolio. 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.”

In his new role, Rai will define and execute Accor’s long-term strategic vision for its luxury and lifestyle brands in South Asia. His focus areas include driving financial excellence, strengthening brand differentiation, and fostering a culture rooted in learning, trust, and innovation.

Speaking on his appointment, Rai said, “It is a privilege to join Accor at such an exciting moment for luxury hospitality and Accor’s expansion plans in the region. 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 craft memorable guest experiences, nurture talent and build future-ready luxury destinations that are both meaningful and sustainable.”

With this appointment, Accor signals its intent to sharpen its luxury positioning in South Asia while accelerating growth across key markets.


Didier Jardin Appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali

Didier Jardin Appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali

By Hariharan U

Published on June 19, 2026

Didier Jardin has been appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali, where he will oversee the operations and strategic direction of the brand’s two celebrated properties: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

Bringing more than 30 years of experience with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Didier is recognised for his people-first leadership style, operational excellence, and commitment to creating meaningful guest experiences. His appointment follows a successful tenure at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, where he played a key role in enhancing the resort’s wellness offerings, family experiences, and community-driven initiatives.

In his new role, Didier will lead both Bali properties, each known for its distinctive connection to Balinese culture, spirituality, and wellbeing. While Jimbaran Bay offers a vibrant beachfront retreat, Sayan is celebrated for its serene riverside setting and immersive wellness experiences.

Commenting on his vision, Didier highlighted the importance of emotional connection in modern luxury hospitality. He noted that Bali’s unique blend of community, culture, and natural beauty provides an opportunity to create experiences that leave a lasting impact on guests while fostering an inspiring environment for employees.

Didier’s journey with Four Seasons began in 1994 at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Since then, his career has taken him across some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, including Bora Bora, Mauritius, New York, Cairo, and Kuwait. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for cultivating strong team cultures rooted in trust, empathy, and professional growth.

Originally from France’s Loire Valley, Didier has long been passionate about travel and cultural discovery. Together with his family, he now begins a new chapter in Bali, a destination he has admired for its artistry, warmth, and deep sense of community.

Under his leadership, Four Seasons Resorts Bali aims to further strengthen its position as one of Asia’s premier luxury hospitality destinations, offering immersive experiences that blend authentic Balinese traditions with contemporary luxury.


Hyatt Regency Pune and Residences Promotes Kantilal Namdev Kadam to Senior Sales – Events

Hyatt Regency Pune and Residences Promotes Kantilal Namdev Kadam to Senior Sales – Events

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 19, 2026

Hyatt Regency Pune and Residences has announced the promotion of Kantilal Namdev Kadam to the position of Senior Sales – Events. With more than 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Kantilal has built strong expertise across event sales, guest relations, business development, and hotel operations.

Over the years, he has earned recognition for successfully managing events, building client relationships, and delivering memorable guest experiences. His hospitality journey began in food and beverage operations, where he developed a strong foundation in customer service and hotel management before moving into the events and sales segment.

Throughout his career, Kantilal has worked with several reputed hospitality brands, gaining valuable experience in event planning, team management, customer engagement, and operational excellence. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Pune and Residences, he was associated with The Leela Gandhinagar & Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center as Sales Account Manager – Events & Catering.

In that role, he managed key client accounts, handled event bookings, and played an important role in driving business growth through successful event and catering operations.

Known for his dedicated approach and strong understanding of hospitality sales, Kantilal has consistently focused on enhancing guest satisfaction while supporting business objectives. His experience across hotels, resorts, and large-scale event venues has further strengthened his expertise in the events and hospitality sector.

In his new role as Senior Sales – Events, he will focus on expanding the hotel's events portfolio, strengthening corporate and business partnerships, and delivering successful celebrations, conferences, and social events for guests.

Hyatt Regency Pune and Residences congratulated Kantilal on his promotion and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the continued growth of the property's events and hospitality business.


Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Appoints Raghuvir G Gurjale as Director of Sales

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Appoints Raghuvir G Gurjale as Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on June 18, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal has announced the appointment of Raghuvir G Gurjale as its new Director of Sales, marking a strategic leadership addition as the hotel continues to strengthen its commercial presence in Bengaluru’s competitive hospitality market.

With over 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Gurjale brings deep expertise in sales leadership, business development, customer relationship management, and hotel operations. In his new role, he will be responsible for shaping the hotel’s commercial strategy, enhancing brand visibility, and leading the sales and marketing team to drive sustained business growth.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Multi Property Director of Sales for Courtyard by Marriott Trichy and Madurai, where he played a key role in revenue acceleration and strategic account development. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles across several prominent hospitality brands, building strong market relationships and delivering consistent performance across key business segments.

His professional journey includes stints with leading hotels such as Four Points by Sheraton Convention Hotel & Resort – Mahabalipuram, Accord Metropolitan Chennai, The Raintree Annasalai, Hilton Chennai, Radisson Blu Hotel Chennai City Centre, The Park Chennai, and The Oberoi Group, reflecting a strong foundation across luxury, upscale, and business hotel segments.

Known for his result-oriented approach and relationship-driven leadership style, Gurjale has consistently focused on building high-performing teams, managing key corporate accounts, and executing effective revenue strategies. His appointment is expected to further strengthen Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal’s position as a preferred destination for business, events, and hospitality experiences in the city.

Commenting on the appointment, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager of the hotel, said that Gurjale’s extensive industry experience, strategic vision, and leadership capabilities will contribute significantly to the hotel’s continued growth and market success.

The appointment also reinforces the continued leadership presence of Marriott International in India’s hospitality sector, as its portfolio of brands continues to expand and evolve across key urban markets.

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