Thai-based hospitality giant Minor International (MINT), the parent company of Minor Hotels, has formed a 50/50 joint venture with Japanese hotel and restaurant operator Royal Holdings.

The new entity, Royal Minor Hotels (RMH), is set to launch in March and operate properties under Minor’s Anantara, Avani and Tivoli hotel brands. The joint venture aims to open 21 hotels by 2035.

Global growth strategy

RMH is part of Minor’s broader global expansion, which aims to add 285 hotels – an increase of more than 50 per cent – across multiple regions.

Minor currently operates more than 70 spas across its 560 hotels, resorts and residences spread throughout 58 countries, with a plan to surpass 850 global locations by 2027.

While more than 50 per cent of Minor’s current portfolio is concentrated in Europe, the company is now aggressively scaling in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, with more than 200 new properties in these regions alone.

Wellness at the core of expansionDillip Rajakarier, group CEO of MINT and CEO of Minor, has emphasised that wellness is a cornerstone of Minor’s expansion plans.

“We want to drive wellness into all of Minor’s brands,” he told Spa Business in an exclusive interview.

New horizons: breaking into Japan

RMH will leverage Minor’s international expertise and Royal’s local market knowledge to create destinations which appeal to both domestic and international travellers.

Properties will be developed through a combination of management agreements and lease arrangements, allowing RMH to scale efficiently across key urban and resort destinations.

MINT and Royal have a long-standing partnership, having already successfully collaborated on the Sizzler steakhouse brand in Japan. The two companies say this history of cooperation lays a solid foundation for RMH’s ambitious expansion plans.