Vijay Krishnan-Vazhvelil, Vice President – Operations, India, Minor Hotels talks to Hospitality Biz about his journey, positioning of Minor Hotels in India and future plans.
What inspired you to become a hospitality professional? Tell us about your journey.
From an early age, I was drawn to the art of creating meaningful, lasting experiences for people – a passion that naturally led me to pursue a degree in Hotel Management and embark on a career in hospitality with The Oberoi Group. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most respected hospitality brands, including Hyatt, Starwood, and now Minor Hotels. Each chapter has shaped my understanding of luxury, service, and cultural relevance in distinct and valuable ways. My professional journey has spanned the opening of urban business hotels, the administration of uber- luxury resorts, the management of remote safari destinations, and the restoration of iconic heritage properties. These experiences have instilled in me a well-rounded and deeply intuitive approach to hospitality leadership. Today, in my role at Minor Hotels, I find purpose in building brands that are not only operationally sound but also emotionally resonant – rooted in authenticity, driven by sustainability, and designed to put the guest experience at the very core of everything we do.
Having worked with luxury brands like Oberoi, Hyatt, and Starwood, what key lessons have you identified over the years? How has it shaped your leadership style?
Each brand imparted invaluable lessons: Oberoi refined my understanding of service detail and discretion; Hyatt instilled a data-driven approach to revenue and positioning; and Starwood emphasized the importance of brand storytelling. At Minor Hotels, I’ve further evolved my leadership style to be vision-driven, collaborative, and agile – empowering teams to take ownership while building a culture of excellence. My focus is on nurturing entrepreneurial thinking, fostering cross-functional synergy, and staying aligned with our global mission of delivering elevated, purpose-led hospitality.
What are the biggest challenges in managing luxury hospitality operations? How is Minor Hotels overcoming those challenges with relation to the Indian market?
In India, luxury operations come with their own set of complexities – from regulatory nuances and infrastructure constraints to shifting guest expectations and staffing dynamics, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations. Minor Hotels addresses these challenges through a deeply localized yet globally aligned approach. For example, at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, we’ve blended Rajputana heritage with international service standards. Our integrated project-to-operations model ensures continuity – involving Development, Design, Legal, and Commercial teams from inception to delivery. This level of alignment allows us to respond quickly and effectively to market realities.
What initiatives are being undertaken to position Minor Hotels as a leading luxury hospitality brand in India?
India is a strategic growth market for Minor Hotels, and several initiatives are underway to establish our brands as leaders in their segments:
– Brand Portfolio Strategy: Launching Anantara (luxury), Avani & NH Collection (Premium), and Oaks (Select) to address diverse market needs.
– Flexible Ownership Models: Offering management contracts, franchises, and branded residences tailored to investor requirements.
– Design and Experience Leadership: Embedding distinctive design, local storytelling, and sensory experiences into each project.
– Talent & Leadership Development: Investing in internal academies, global rotations, and upskilling programs to build a strong talent pipeline in India.
– Technology & Loyalty Ecosystem: Leveraging Minor Hotels’ robust digital platforms and guest engagement programs to amplify market presence.
These pillars ensure we’re building not just hotels, but long-term value in the Indian luxury hospitality space.
Minor Hotels is expanding its footprint in India. Tell us more about this growth plan.
Our India roadmap is both ambitious and grounded in strategic foresight. Minor Hotels is aiming to expand from our first property to a portfolio of 50 hotels by 2035.
– Launched: Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, the first Anantara branded property in India, opening in late 2024
– Signed: Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort, an exclusive new-build resort and branded residences development set along the scenic Sunray Beach in Visakhapatnam, India, set to open in 2028
We are focusing on leisure destinations, wellness retreats, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with strong demand for MICE, weddings, and luxury leisure. This expansion is part of Minor Hotels’ global expansion in Asia, alongside growth in Japan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Which are your upcoming properties in India and what is the expected inventory for Minor Hotels by 2030?
Our pipeline is growing steadily, by 2030, Minor Hotels India aims to operate over 20 properties, encompassing luxury resorts, urban lifestyle hotels, and branded residences. Our brand mix will include Anantara, Avani, NH Collection, and Oaks, with each property carefully positioned to reflect both market opportunity and brand ethos.
Through your journey, sustainability has been a subject of your interest. How is Minor Hotels integrating sustainable practices into its operations?
Sustainability is deeply embedded into the DNA of Minor Hotels and closely aligned with my own professional ethos. Our group-wide commitment to sustainability is operationalized through:
– Green Building Certifications
– Farm-to-Fork Menus & Local Procurement
– Zero-Waste Kitchens
– Plastic-Free Operations
– Renewable Energy Use
At Anantara, conservation is woven into the guest journey – whether through immersive cultural interactions, sustainable wellness offerings, or community engagement. My training with National Geographic on Conservation Project Planning further reinforces our purpose-led strategy for long-term environmental stewardship across our Indian portfolio.
Tell us about your experience with wildlife tourism and experiential travel. Do these influence your approach at Minor Hotels?
Wildlife tourism and experiential travel have played a pivotal role in shaping my approach to hospitality. Having worked on projects located in some of India’s most pristine natural settings – including safari destinations such as Gir, Ranthambore, Pench, Bandhavgarh, and beyond – I’ve witnessed how powerful and transformative these experiences can be when thoughtfully curated. They’ve reinforced a core belief: today’s luxury is defined by authenticity, emotional connection, and purpose-driven storytelling. Guests are no longer just seeking five-star amenities; they’re looking for meaning – for immersive, enriching moments that connect them to nature, culture, and local communities.
At Minor Hotels, this philosophy is at the heart of our India growth strategy. We are actively engaged in developing luxury wildlife lodges across strategic locations in India, each envisioned as more than just a place to stay – they are being designed as destinations in themselves. These lodges will offer forest-to-table culinary concepts, curated cultural interactions, and experiences rooted in local ecosystems, providing guests with a rare opportunity to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with nature and self.
What trends do you see shaping the future of luxury hospitality in India?
India’s luxury hospitality is undergoing a transformation. Key trends include:
– Experiential over Material Luxury: Personalization and memory-making matter more than opulence.
– Wellness & Holistic Living: Spiritual travel, nature retreats, and longevity-focused programs are gaining ground.
– Branded Residences: Expanding the hospitality experience into real estate.
– Rise of the Domestic Affluent Traveler: India’s growing high-net-income (HNI) base is driving demand for immersive, high-end getaways.
– Heritage Revival with Modern Sensibility: Guests are seeking restored forts, palaces, and cultural experiences delivered with modern finesse.
Minor Hotels’ India strategy is directly aligned with these trends – with Anantara leading in immersive luxury and Avani targeting modern lifestyle seekers.
Technology has been an enabler. With AI rapidly changing the scenario, how do you envision technology transforming guest experiences and hotel operations in the next decade?
At Minor Hotels, we see technology – especially AI – as a transformative enabler across three core dimensions:
– Guest Personalization: AI-driven CRM systems will curate real-time itineraries, service preferences, and dining selections.
– Operational Excellence: Predictive analytics for maintenance, dynamic pricing, and energy use optimization will enhance performance.
– Intelligent Service Interfaces: Voice assistants and AI chatbots will elevate in-room service and concierge interactions.
– Sentiment Analysis: Real-time data will help track and resolve guest concerns proactively.
– Sustainability Monitoring: AI will aid in tracking energy, water, and waste metrics for greener operations.
Our India roadmap includes integrating these technologies from the pre-opening phase itself, ensuring a seamless blend of high-touch and high-tech service.
What would be your advice to the future generation of hoteliers?
To young hoteliers: Be curious, stay authentic, and think entrepreneurially. The future of hospitality belongs to those who can seamlessly blend culture, technology, and empathy to craft meaningful guest experiences. At Minor Hotels, we believe in building brands with purpose, and that calls for leaders who are not just managers but also visionaries, experience designers, and community builders. Learn continuously, lead responsibly, and always stay grounded in your “why” – that’s what will truly set you apart. We’re deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of talent through Minor Education initiatives, including the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM) in academic alliance with Les Roches, based in Bangkok. These institutions are aligned with our global vision of developing future-ready leaders who can drive innovation and uphold excellence in hospitality across markets like India and beyond.
