Minor Hotels has appointed Shobhit Khattri as its new Associate Vice President of Development for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, as the group intensifies its expansion efforts across South Asia.
Based in New Delhi, Khattri will report to Omar Romero, the Chief Development & Luxury Officer at Minor Hotels, and collaborate closely with the Asia Business Development team. In his new role, Khattri will be responsible for scouting new development opportunities across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, overseeing the entire development process from site selection to hotel openings. A key part of his mandate will be to drive the expansion of Minor Hotels’ brands, with a primary focus on India, while ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational efficiency through collaboration with the operations team.
With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Khattri has a proven track record in driving hotel growth strategy across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He began his career in 2008 with The Indian Hotels Company Limited, where he played a significant role in expanding the TAJ brand across India and abroad. Khattri later joined IHG in 2011, initially leading development in Southwest Asia before overseeing the group’s operations in 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, Delhi.
Omar Romero, Minor Hotels’ Chief Development & Luxury Officer, expressed enthusiasm over Khattri’s appointment, stating, “Shobhit’s extensive knowledge of the South Asian hospitality landscape and his expertise in managing large-scale development projects make him an ideal addition to our team. He will be instrumental in accelerating our growth in this key region.”
Commenting on his new role, Khattri shared, “I am excited to join Minor Hotels during such a dynamic phase of growth. The company’s ambitious expansion strategy and diverse brand portfolio align with my experience and aspirations, and I look forward to playing a role in shaping the next chapter of its success in India.”
Minor Hotels’ entry into India’s luxury hospitality market was marked by the opening of the Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur in November 2024. The property, the group’s first Anantara-branded hotel in India, offers a unique blend of luxury and local cultural heritage, with 150 rooms designed to highlight Rajasthan’s rich craftsmanship, including intricate Tikri work and stone carving by skilled artisans.
This launch is just the beginning of Minor Hotels’ broader growth strategy in India, with the company targeting 50 new openings over the next decade, focused primarily on the premium and luxury segments. The group’s most recent milestone includes the signing of its first Avani-branded resort in India, the Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort.
As part of its ambitious expansion plans, Minor Hotels aims to introduce its flagship Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection brands to untapped markets across India, focusing on destination creation and high-end, experiential stays. The company also plans to extend its NH brand to tier-two and tier-three cities, as well as airport locations, to cater to both domestic and international travelers.
