Minor Hotels, a globally renowned hotel owner and operator, has announced the appointment of Puneet Dhawan as its new Head of Asia. Dhawan will assume his role in July 2024, assuming responsibility for the performance of all Minor Hotels’ properties across Asia. He will work closely with the company’s senior leadership team and report directly to CEO Dillip Rajakarier.
With an extensive 30-year career in the hospitality industry, Dhawan possesses a wealth of experience and expertise. Prior to joining Minor Hotels, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations – India & South Asia at Accor, where he played a pivotal role in business development, owner management, hotel operations, and commercial strategy. Dhawan’s contributions significantly contributed to Accor’s regional growth, including the successful launch of the first Raffles hotel in India. His diverse experience at Accor also includes roles as Vice President of Operations for the Middle East and various General Manager positions.
Dhawan’s journey in the hospitality industry began at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held esteemed roles in both the Philippines and Hong Kong. Dhawan holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He will be based at Minor Hotels’ Bangkok Corporate Office upon joining in July.
Commenting on Dhawan’s appointment, Minor Hotels CEO and Group CEO of Minor International, Dillip Rajakarier, expressed enthusiasm, stating, ‘We are thrilled to welcome Puneet to the Minor Hotels family. His exceptional operational experience and inspirational leadership will be instrumental as we drive our ambitious growth strategy in Asia and India in the years to come.’
Minor Hotels announced its expansion plans in January, aiming to expand its global portfolio with over 200 new hotel openings by 2026, with Asia accounting for half of the planned developments. The hotel group’s recent announcement outlines a plan to launch 50 new properties in India over the next decade, including the introduction of its luxury Anantara brand in Jaipur later this year.
