Key points
- According to Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier, the current pace of development reflects strong confidence in both the brands and the operating platform, while the increased emphasis on hotel management agreements and franchising allows the group to scale responsibly without diluting standards or performance alignment.
- North America is emerging as a key priority market, with several Minor Hotels brands set to debut in major gateway cities such as New York and Miami, as well as in select Caribbean destinations.
- A joint venture with Royal Holdings is set to deliver 21 properties across Japan, while India remains a priority supported by strong performance at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur and a growing pipeline exceeding a dozen projects.
Thailand Hotel News: Minor Hotels is entering 2026 with renewed momentum and a sharpened strategic focus, following what executives describe as the strongest development year in the group’s history. With record-breaking signings, an expanded brand architecture and a clear commitment to capital-efficient growth, the hotel owner and operator is positioning itself for another year of accelerated yet disciplined expansion across key global markets.
Image Credit: Minor Hotels
The group’s growth agenda builds on the signing of 40 new hotel contracts and master agreements in 2025, the highest annual total ever achieved by Minor Hotels. This momentum shows little sign of slowing, with the company already projecting a further 25 signings in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Such figures underscore sustained confidence from owners and partners, while signaling the start of what the group considers a new phase of expansion defined by portfolio depth, brand diversification and an increasingly asset-light operating model. This Thailand Hotel News report notes that Minor Hotels is no longer simply chasing scale, but is instead refining how and where that scale is deployed.
With a global portfolio now exceeding 640 properties and its strongest pipeline to date, Minor Hotels is leveraging the strength of its master brand to unify operations, marketing and loyalty platforms. The addition of four new hotel brands has further strengthened its ability to tailor solutions to different asset types and owner ambitions. According to Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier, the current pace of development reflects strong confidence in both the brands and the operating platform, while the increased emphasis on hotel management agreements and franchising allows the group to scale responsibly without diluting standards or performance alignment.
Deepening Presence in Priority Markets
Geographic focus remains central to Minor Hotels’ 2026 strategy, with investment and development concentrated in markets demonstrating strong long-term demand fundamentals. Rather than spreading resources thinly, the group aims to deepen its presence in established regions while selectively entering new destinations where brand resonance and demand visibility are strongest.
More than 60 percent of the anticipated Q1 2026 deals are expected to be located in the Middle East and Asia, a deliberate move to rebalance a portfolio currently weighted toward Europe. While Europe still accounts for over half of Minor Hotels’ existing footprint, growth in Asia and the Middle East is seen as critical to achieving a more diversified global mix.
North America is emerging as a key priority market, with several Minor Hotels brands set to debut in major gateway cities such as New York and Miami, as well as in select Caribbean destinations. Luxury brands will play a prominent role in this expansion, reflecting strong demand for high-end experiences in the region. Australia is also slated for further luxury growth, building on a base of more than 60 existing properties, largely under the Oaks and Avani brands.
Image Credit: Minor Hotels
In the United Kingdom, Minor Hotels continues to strengthen its London presence by leveraging the established reputation and operational footprint of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, acquired in 2022. This platform provides both brand credibility and local market expertise, supporting measured growth in one of the world’s most competitive hospitality markets.
North Africa represents another strategic frontier, shaped by strong demand flows from Europe. The group’s long-standing presence in European source markets positions it well to pursue demand-led expansion across the region. Egypt stands out following a recent joint venture with SUNRISE Resorts and Cruises, targeting the development of 50 properties over the next decade, while Morocco also features prominently in the group’s regional pipeline.
Across Asia, pipeline growth continues with particular emphasis on Japan and India. A joint venture with Royal Holdings is set to deliver 21 properties across Japan, while India remains a priority supported by strong performance at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur and a growing pipeline exceeding a dozen projects. In Europe, Minor Hotels is broadening its focus beyond urban hotels, increasing exposure to Mediterranean resort destinations to create a more balanced regional portfolio.
Franchising Drives Asset Light Expansion
Franchising is expected to play a defining role in Minor Hotels’ next growth phase, following substantial investment in systems, brand standards and owner support infrastructure over the past year. This strategy forms a core element of the group’s asset-right approach, which seeks to optimize the balance between owned, managed and franchised properties.
Image Credit: Minor Hotels
The results are already evident, with 87 percent of extended pipeline opportunities now classified as asset light, up significantly from 70 percent the previous year. Franchising will be deployed primarily in mature markets such as Europe and the United States, where brands including NH Hotels and Resorts and iStay Hotels are well positioned for conversion-led growth. Africa is also emerging as a key franchising market, driven by rising owner demand for robust distribution, loyalty programmes and global brand systems.
By combining franchising with selective ownership and management, Minor Hotels aims to enhance capital efficiency while preserving operational control and brand integrity. This hybrid approach allows the group to remain closely aligned with hotel performance, even as it scales more rapidly across diverse markets.
New Brands Expand Owner and Guest Choice
The launch and rollout of new brands is another cornerstone of Minor Hotels’ 2026 strategy. The group is introducing these brands through carefully selected openings and signings across multiple segments, ensuring clarity of positioning and long-term brand equity.
At the heart of this initiative are the Minor Reserve Collection and Colbert Collection, two new collection brands designed to support conversion-led growth in mature markets such as Europe and the Middle East. These brands offer independent owners the freedom to retain their property’s individuality while gaining access to Minor Hotels’ global distribution, loyalty and marketing platforms, unlocking opportunities for high-quality assets that may not align with traditional brand frameworks.
The Wolseley Hotels is positioned as an intentionally rare luxury proposition, with 2026 focused on establishing its presence through a limited number of high-profile projects. This measured approach reinforces the brand’s long-term positioning in first-tier global gateway cities.
Image Credit: Minor Hotels
At the more accessible end of the spectrum, iStay Hotels is expected to support franchise-led growth within the Select segment, where demand for value-driven yet high-quality accommodation continues to rise across urban and gateway markets. Collectively, these new brands underscore Minor Hotels’ ambition to combine global scale with a highly personalized, flexible approach to development.
Branded Residences Gain Strategic Weight
Branded residences continue to grow in importance within Minor Hotels’ development pipeline, reflecting the evolution of the segment from a niche luxury offering into a mainstream lifestyle proposition. The group was an early pioneer in this space, and today around 20 percent of its total pipeline incorporates a residential component.
In 2026, Minor Hotels is set to reach a milestone with the launch of its first standalone branded residence project, reinforcing both brand maturity and the strategic role of residential-led development. Luxury brands such as Anantara and Tivoli dominate this pipeline, with residences included in around half of their upcoming projects, while Avani and NH Collection are increasingly targeting premium lifestyle buyers seeking flexibility and long-term value.
Recent announcements highlight mixed-use developments in markets including the UAE, Spain and India, reflecting strong global demand for branded living concepts anchored by trusted hospitality names.
Image Credit: Minor Hotels
Capital Optimization Through Planned REIT
To support its ambitious growth agenda, Minor International is moving ahead with plans to list a hotel real estate investment trust in mid-2026. The proposed REIT will include a selection of European and Asian hotel assets, enabling the group to recycle capital from mature properties while retaining long-term brand and operating relationships.
This structure is expected to accelerate Minor Hotels’ transition toward a more asset-right model by separating ownership from operations where appropriate. The additional financial flexibility is intended to support reinvestment into new markets, brand development and strategic partnerships, strengthening the group’s long-term competitive position.
Minor Hotels’ strategy for 2026 reflects a deliberate effort to balance speed with sustainability, scale with specificity, and global reach with local relevance. By focusing on the right markets, deploying a diversified brand portfolio and leveraging asset-light growth models, the group is building resilience into its platform while remaining agile enough to respond to evolving travel demand. The emphasis on franchising, branded residences and capital optimization demonstrates a clear understanding of shifting owner and investor expectations, while the continued role as an owner-operator ensures alignment with performance and standards. As global travel continues to normalize and diversify, Minor Hotels enters 2026 confident in its ability to grow with intent, discipline and long-term value creation, reinforcing its position as one of the industry’s most adaptable and forward-looking hospitality groups.
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