Draft:Dillip Rajakarier

Dillip Rajakarier (born 1965) is a business executive serving as the group chief executive officer of Minor International and the chief executive officer of Minor Hotels.

Early life
Rajakarier is originally from Sri Lanka. He pursued his education in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Master of Business Administration. Additionally, he holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Analysis & Design.

Career
Rajakarier's career transitioned from information technology and finance into the hospitality industry, starting with a role at Orient-Express Hotels.

Joining Minor International in 2007, he ascended to the role of chief executive officer of Minor Hotels in 2011 and was later appointed group chief executive officer of Minor International in 2020.

His tenure marked the beginning of several corporate actions aimed at expanding the company's operational scope. The joint venture with Elewana Afrika (now Elewana Collection) in 2008 marked Minor Hotels' entry into the African hospitality market, engaging with properties in Kenya and Tanzania.

The acquisition of Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites in 2011 extended Minor Hotels' operations to Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Following this, in 2015, the hotel group further expanded into the European, Portugal, and Brazilian markets through the acquisition of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel deal in Portugal.

A significant expansion occurred in 2018 with the acquisition of the NH Hotel Group, which added around 380 hotels to Minor Hotels' portfolio and expanded its presence in Europe and Latin America.

In 2024, Rajakarier announced plans to introduce over 200 new hotels by 2026.