Bangkok-based Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, has named a new Vice President of Development for the Middle East, who will oversee development strategies and management of assets across Minor Hotels’ portfolio of hotels, including the Anantara, Avani, NH Hotels, NH Collection, Oaks and Tivoli brands.

Lokesh Kumar expertise in business process enhancement will also contribute to commercial effectiveness across all the brands’ projects.

Kumar brings over 23 years of strategic business leadership experience and a proven track record in managing owner and key government relationships whilst executing strategic public-private partnerships to maximise revenues and optimise costs.

He joins Minor Hotels from his most recent management consulting role, where he demonstrated his prowess in developing tourism offerings along the 1,600 km Coral Highway from Jezan to NEOM, whilst creating futuristic hotel concepts for the tourism authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He also offered feasibility and development strategy for mixed-use city development projects across multiple asset classes including hospitality, commercial, residential and education.

Additionally, Kumar provided advisory services for operator selection and joint venture evaluation for a sovereign fund entity in KSA that aimed to develop 4,000 hotel rooms in key cities.

His exceptional track record in managing key responsibilities of development, asset management and commercial with hospitality companies including Movenpick, Unison Hotels and The Oberoi Group, puts him in an ideal position to drive Minor Hotels’ future growth initiatives and expansion in the Middle East.

“We are delighted to welcome Lokesh to Minor Hotels,” said Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President of Middle East, Africa and India for Minor Hotels.

“His sterling reputation in developing and managing strategic business operations across the GCC and India aligns seamlessly with Minor Hotels’ vision for our future. Lokesh’s astute thinking and expertise in the market will be invaluable as we move forward with our plans for the future.”

Kumar said: “I am indeed privileged to join Minor Hotels. It’s an exciting time for the company, which has witnessed impressive growth in recent years. I’m eager to contribute to its continued success, with new openings across the Middle East.

“The entrepreneurial approach of the company aligns with my professional goals and I look forward to working with the team to further accentuate growth.”

Lokesh holds an MBA from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in India after completing hotel school at the Institute of Hotel Management, Goa. – TradeArabia News Service