Accor has announced the promotion of Balvinder Sahrawat as Vice President – Development, South Asia, marking a significant milestone in his 17-year journey with the global hospitality group.
As a member of the South Asia Leadership Team, Sahrawat will lead Accor’s development strategy across the region, focusing on portfolio expansion, strategic partnerships, and accelerating the company’s growth across diverse hospitality segments.
This move aligns with Accor’s evolving leadership structure, reflecting executive movements in hotels.A 17-Year Journey with Accor
Balvinder’s career with Accor has evolved from evaluating real estate investments to leading development initiatives across South Asia. His experience spans real estate investment, hospitality operations, business development, and hotel expansion, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of both the commercial and operational aspects of the hospitality industry.
Over the years, he has built strong, long-standing relationships with hotel owners, developers, investors, and strategic partners, helping strengthen Accor’s presence across India and neighbouring markets.
Driving Growth Across South Asia
Throughout his tenure, Sahrawat has played an instrumental role in expanding Accor’s development pipeline across South Asia.
He has successfully led strategic business development initiatives, including greenfield developments, real estate acquisitions, franchise agreements, management contracts, and network expansion projects. His efforts have contributed to the signing and development of multiple hotels across the region while supporting the group’s long-term growth ambitions.
In his new role, he will oversee Accor’s regional development strategy, working to accelerate new hotel signings, strengthen owner relationships, and ensure the right brands are introduced to the right markets across South Asia.
Leadership Comments
Commenting on the promotion, Ranju Alex, CEO, Accor South Asia, said:
“Balvinder Sahrawat’s exceptional contribution to Accor’s growth across South Asia has been instrumental to our success. His strong business acumen, strategic vision, and exceptional ability to build long-term partnerships have been important in strengthening our development throughout South Asia. As we continue to accelerate our growth ambitions, I am confident that under his leadership we will further strengthen our portfolio, deepen our partnerships, and unlock new opportunities across markets and segments.”
Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Balvinder Sahrawat, Vice President – Development, South Asia, Accor, said:
“Accor is not just where I have built my career — it is where I have grown, built lasting relationships, and come to deeply understand what this Group stands for. Our values of trust, respect, and putting people at the heart of everything we do shapes the way I approach every partnership and every deal. South Asia is a region of extraordinary opportunity, and I look forward to working with our owners, partners, and teams to bring the right brands to the right destinations and create long-term value for everyone we work with.”
As Accor continues to expand its footprint across South Asia, Sahrawat’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the group’s development pipeline, building long-term partnerships, and driving sustainable growth across key hospitality markets in the region.
