Minor Hotels Appoints Gonzalo Aguilar as CEO for Europe & Americas
(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels, a prominent global hotel owner and operator, has announced the appointment of Gonzalo Aguilar as the CEO for Europe & Americas, effective January 1, 2025. Aguilar, joining from Marriott, brings over three decades of industry expertise and a track record of successful leadership. He will succeed current CEO Ramón Aragonés, who will retire from his chief executive role at the end of this year but will remain on the Board of Directors as Non-Executive Vice Chairman. Aguilar’s appointment comes after a distinguished career at Marriott, where he served as Chief Operating Officer for EMEA, driving growth and record earnings. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, expressed gratitude for Aragonés’ contributions and highlighted Aguilar’s strategic vision and understanding of the multibrand and asset-light hotel space as essential for guiding Minor Hotels’ continued success in Europe and the Americas. Aguilar will commence a three-month handover period with Aragonés starting October 1.
(PRESS RELEASE) Bangkok, Thailand, 2024-Jun-6 — /Travel PR News/ — In a strategic move to bolster its leadership team, Minor Hotels, a prominent global hotel owner and operator, has revealed the appointment of Gonzalo Aguilar as the Chief Executive Officer for Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, effective January 1, 2025.
Aguilar, with over three decades of industry experience, joins Minor Hotels from Marriott, where he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), driving substantial growth and record earnings in the region.
Replacing the retiring CEO Ramón Aragonés, who has served with dedication since his tenure began in 2009 when the group was known as NH Hotel Group, Aguilar steps into the role amid accolades for Aragonés’ transformative leadership. Aragonés will transition into the position of Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, continuing to contribute his wealth of experience to the company.
Reflecting on Aragonés’ legacy, Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and President of Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, expressed admiration for his extensive contributions to the group’s evolution into a hospitality powerhouse. Rajakarier also welcomed Aguilar’s appointment, citing his profound industry expertise and track record of success as pivotal assets in driving Minor Hotels’ strategic vision forward.
Aguilar’s journey within the hospitality sector began in 1994 at Marriott, where he assumed various roles culminating in his recent position as COO for EMEA. His tenure witnessed notable milestones, including the seamless integration of AC Hotels post-acquisition. With a keen understanding of the multi-brand and asset-light dynamics in Europe and the Americas, Aguilar is poised to lead Minor Hotels into its next phase of growth and prosperity.
The transition period, starting October 1st, will facilitate a smooth handover between Aguilar and Aragonés, ensuring continuity and alignment with the company’s overarching objectives. Minor Hotels anticipates leveraging Aguilar’s leadership to reinforce its position as a frontrunner in the global hospitality landscape.
About Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating over 550 hotels, resorts and residences in 56 countries, pursuing its vision of crafting a more passionate and interconnected world. As a hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels fulfils the needs and desires of today’s global travellers through its diverse portfolio of eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a collection of related businesses. Minor Hotels is rapidly accelerating its global growth ambitions, aiming to add more than 200 hotels by the end of 2026.
Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
For more information, please visit minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Marion Walsh-Hedouin
Global Head of PR & Communications
mwalsh@minor.com
Natasha Rhymes
Group Director PR & Communications
nrhymes@minor.com
+971 (0) 4436 3482
Source: Minor Hotels
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