Minor Hotels Eyes Big Expansion in MEA with Green Focus

Minor Hotels is expanding its presence across the Middle East and Africa with a clear focus on sustainable growth and modern innovation. The group shared its latest plans during the Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai, highlighting a strategy that combines global standards with local culture.

Founded in 1967 in Thailand by William Heinecke, Minor Hotels has grown from a small local brand into a major global name. Its journey into the Middle East started in 2012 with a unique project on Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. There, the group opened three resorts designed to blend wildlife conservation with luxury travel. Since then, the company has grown rapidly in the region.

As of 2025, Minor Hotels operates 54 properties across the Middle East and Africa. Many more projects are already planned. Each property is carefully designed to reflect local culture while staying true to the brand’s global standards. This approach helps the company meet the needs of local guests and international travelers at the same time.

A major focus of the group’s expansion is sustainability. Minor Hotels aims to reduce its environmental impact through responsible operations. Its Anantara brand, launched in 2001, is based on the idea of luxury that respects local communities and the environment. In several locations, the group uses locally sourced materials, supports wildlife conservation, and takes steps to reduce waste.

The company’s sustainability goals are backed by international standards. Minor Hotels is certified under the Science Based Targets initiative, which confirms its plans to reduce carbon emissions. The group is also listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In daily operations, hotels work to lower energy use, recycle more, and use products from nearby suppliers whenever possible.

Alongside its environmental goals, Minor Hotels is also improving the guest experience. One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a master brand system. This system brings together all eight of the company’s hotel brands, including Anantara, Avani, and NH, under one network. With this setup, guests can book rooms more easily, use a single loyalty program, and enjoy better service across all locations.

Technology plays an important role in the company’s plans. While artificial intelligence is being used to support back-end systems and understand guest preferences, the company does not plan to replace front-line staff with machines. It believes that human connection remains essential in the hospitality industry. Technology is seen as a tool to support people, not replace them.

Minor Hotels has big goals for the future. It plans to double its number of hotels in the Middle East and Africa over the next three years. New projects will include wellness centers, long-stay health hubs, and modern food and drink concepts. These additions are designed to meet growing customer demand for healthy living and personalized travel.

The company’s expansion is not only about numbers. It reflects a broader strategy that combines tradition and progress. Minor Hotels stays true to its Thai roots while also embracing new technology and modern guest expectations. This balance helps the brand grow in a way that is both thoughtful and competitive.

The growth of Minor Hotels is also good news for the hospitality sector in the Middle East and Africa. It brings more jobs, increased tourism, and higher standards to the market. Local economies benefit from the brand’s investments, and the region becomes more attractive to international travelers.