Minor Hotels Sharpens Growth Agenda for 2026

Minor Hotels will pursue a focused approach to growth in 2026, building on a year of record development momentum to prioritise market depth, portfolio diversification and capital-efficient expansion.

The group signed 40 new hotel contracts and master agreements in 2025 – its highest annual total to date – and expects to secure a further 25 signings in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained owner demand and signalling another record growth year ahead.

With its strongest pipeline to date and a portfolio of more than 640 properties globally, the year ahead marks the beginning of a new phase of growth for the hotel owner and operator, marked by targeted asset-light expansion and supported by the addition of four new hotel brands and a strengthened global platform under the Minor Hotels master brand.

“The pace of recent signings reflects strong owner confidence in our brands and platform,” said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International (SET:MINT), the parent company of Minor Hotels. “Driving growth through a higher mix of HMAs and franchising allows us to scale with discipline, while our continued role as owners keeps us closely aligned to hotel performance and brand standards. As we add depth to our brand portfolio in 2026, this combination of global reach and an owner’s mindset gives us the insight needed to really tailor solutions to different assets and owner ambitions.”

Minor Hotels will focus investment and development in 2026 on markets where it sees the strongest long-term demand signal, combining deeper positions in established regions with selective, focused entry into new destinations.

Of the 25 new deals that Minor expects in Q1, more than 60% will be in Middle East and Asia, signalling the group’s intent to drive a higher contribution from those regions to balance its strong presence in Europe, which currently accounts for more than half of the group’s portfolio.

In 2026, the group is set to debut multiple brands in North America, including in the key strategic cities of New York and Miami, plus in the Caribbean, with a selection of its brands including within the luxury segment. This marks a significant step in strengthening its presence in the high-priority North America market. This luxury portfolio expansion will also extend into Australia, where the group already operates more than 60 properties, mostly under the Oaks and Avani brands.

It will also focus on growing its presence in the London market, leveraging the established awareness and operational footprint of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, which it acquired in 2022.

In North Africa, expansion is being shaped by the strength of Minor’s brands and its long-standing presence in Europe, one of the region’s most important source markets. This positions the group to pursue a demand-led approach to growth across the region, including in Egypt – where it recently formed a joint venture with SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises to develop 50 properties over the next decade – and Morocco.

Pipeline growth will continue across Asia, with a focus on Japan following a recent joint venture with Royal Holdings to develop 21 properties across the country. India also remains a priority market, supported by the strong performance of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur and a growing pipeline of more than a dozen projects.

In Europe, the group will continue to broaden its focus beyond city hotels, increasing its exposure to resort destinations across the Mediterranean as part of a more diversified regional mix.

Franchising will play a central role in Minor Hotels’ next phase of growth, following significant investment over the past year to strengthen systems, brand standards and owner support capabilities.

This approach forms a core part of Minor Hotels’ asset-right strategy, which seeks to balance an optimal mix of owned, managed and franchised properties to enhance capital efficiency while maintaining operational control and brand integrity. Of the group’s extended pipeline opportunities, 87% are asset light, up from 70% last year.

The franchise model will be deployed primarily across mature markets, particularly Europe and the US, where brands including NH Hotels & Resorts and iStay Hotels are well positioned for conversion-led growth. Franchising will also be a key lever in Africa, where demand from owners for strong distribution, loyalty and brand infrastructure continues to rise.

Minor Hotels will use 2026 to bring its newest brands to market, with a series of carefully selected openings and signings across multiple segments.

Central to this strategy are the group’s new collection brands – Minor Reserve Collection and Colbert Collection – which are designed to support conversion-led growth in mature markets, particularly Europe and the Middle East. These brands offer independent owners the flexibility to retain their individuality while gaining access to Minor Hotels’ global distribution, loyalty, marketing and operational platforms, opening development opportunities for high-quality properties that may not fit traditional brand frameworks.

The Wolseley Hotels is positioned as a deliberately rare luxury proposition, with 2026 focused on establishing the brand’s presence through a small number of carefully selected projects, reinforcing its long-term positioning in first-tier global gateway cities.

At the more accessible end of the spectrum, iStay Hotels is expected to play a key role in supporting franchise-led growth, particularly in the Select segment, where demand for high-quality, value-driven accommodation continues to grow across urban and gateway markets.  

The addition of these new brands reflects Minor Hotels’ positioning as a group that combines global scale with a highly personal approach – large enough to deliver the distribution, loyalty and operational strength owners need, yet nimble enough to offer tailored solutions that respect the individuality of each property and market.

Branded residences remain a core growth pillar for Minor Hotels as the segment continues to evolve from a niche luxury offering into a mainstream lifestyle proposition.

Minor Hotels was an early pioneer in the space, and around 20% of its total hotel pipeline now incorporates a residential component. In 2026, the group will mark a milestone with the launch of its first standalone branded residence project, reinforcing brand maturity and the strategic role of residential-led development within its portfolio.

Upcoming projects are primarily anchored by luxury brands such as Anantara and Tivoli – where 50% of the pipeline includes residences – while Avani and NH Collection increasingly target premium buyers seeking lifestyle, flexibility and long-term value. Recent announcements include mixed-use developments in the UAE, Spain and India.

To help fuel this growth agenda, Minor International, the parent company of Minor Hotels, is forging ahead with plans to launch a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT), expected to list in mid-2026.

The proposed REIT is set to include a selection of European and Asian hotel assets, enabling Minor to recycle capital from mature properties while retaining long-term brand and operating relationships.

By separating asset ownership from hotel operations where appropriate, the REIT is expected to play a key role in accelerating Minor Hotels’ shift toward a more asset-right model, providing greater flexibility to invest in new markets and brand development.

Minor Hotels’ 2026 strategy reflects a deliberate focus on building depth, resilience and long-term value across its global portfolio. By prioritising the right markets, brands and partnerships, the group is strengthening its position as a diversified hospitality platform designed to perform across cycles.

As global travel demand continues to evolve, Minor Hotels remains confident in the strength of its model and its ability to grow with intent.