Among the few Indian women to helm a global hospitality group, Ranju Alex stepped into the spotlight as chief executive officer (CEO) for South Asia at the Accor Hotel Group in late 2025, overseeing the company’s operations across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
As one of the world’s largest hotel operators, Accor manages and franchises more than 5,000 hotels across 110 countries. In South Asia alone, the group operates over 70 hotels, with plans to include 30 more in the future.
Against this backdrop of ambitious growth, Ranju Alex’s appointment
signals Accor’s intent to strengthen regional leadership and accelerate its
next phase of expansion. A graduate at the Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata, Alex began her career at The Oberoi Group, where she spent her formative years developing a strong leadership philosophy, before ascending to senior leadership roles at Marriott International.
In the 10 plus years at Marriott International, Alex rose to regional vice
president (South Asia), overseeing a portfolio of over 170 hotels across the region. During her tenure, she also served as general manager at properties including Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi and Goa Marriott Resort & Spa.
With over three decades of industry experience, Alex takes charge at a pivotal moment for Accor Group, as the company expands its South Asia footprint and advances longterm growth ambitions across India through its partnership with InterGlobe Enterprises. Alex’s leadership and contributions to the hospitality sector
have earned wide recognition, most notably the Bharat Gaurav Award in 2025, reflecting both her professional excellence and the growing prominence of women in leadership roles.
In an exclusive interview with VIVA GOA, Ranju Alex shares insights on empowering women leaders, the brand’s expansion strategy and vision for sustainable development, with Goa playing a key role in this journey.
You began your hospitality journey with The Oberoi Group in 1993.
What early lessons from those formative years still shape how you
lead today?
I began my hospitality journey with The Oberoi Group in 1993, and those
formative years have shaped many of the principles I lead with today. One
of the earliest lessons I learnt was the importance of humility and the belief
that the hunger to learn should never end. Hospitality is a people-driven
industry, and staying curious and open to learning from every experience and
every individual is essential for growth. I also realised very early on that success is never individual; it is always about the team. A strong team and a leader who can guide them with clarity and direction are equally important.
Leadership, I’ve realised, isn’t only about strategy or scale. It’s about purpose, people, and the freedom to lead with authenticity. It is about touching lives. And Accor has a very inclusive philosophy and purpose, ‘Pioneering the Art of Responsible Hospitality, Connecting Cultures, with Heartfelt Care’. That holistic approach to hospitality resonated strongly with me, both as a leader and as an individual, and felt aligned with the values I stand by.
You recently took over as CEO for South Asia at Accor. What are your priorities for the region in the next few years?
India is one of Accor’s most important growth markets globally, and the priority is to lead the next phase of expansion and translate that long-term vision into reality on the ground. This is a defining moment for the organisation, a phase where we are laying the foundation for the future. The JV between Accor and Inter Globe lays emphasis on building a portfolio that is anchored in sustainable
growth, environmentally responsible practices, and innovation across the hospitality experience. Equally critical is the group’s ability to understand and serve the increasingly diverse needs of India’s travellers, across segments, destinations, and price points. Our
priority is to drive performance. 2025 has been our best year in new hotel signings, especially so in the last quarter, giving us the adrenaline for the future. Most importantly, we are focusing on inspiring our people who will be the engine of this growth.
Read the full article in the latest issue of Viva Goa Magazine. Pick your copy from the nearest supermarket/bookstore today.
