Minor Hotels has announced the appointment of Craig Wood as Managing Director of Minor Vacations, its division dedicated to vacation ownership. The executive, who spent eighteen years at the helm of Accor Vacation Club, takes up his new role in July 2026, at a time marked by the reorganisation of Minor Hotels’ brand identity and the transformation of Anantara Vacation Club into Minor Vacation Club.
Craig Wood takes on the role of Managing Director of Minor Vacations, a position covering the full commercial and operational management of the division. He steps into the role just as Minor Hotels has repositioned its vacation ownership offering under a new brand, Minor Vacation Club, set to become the group’s flagship product in this area.
Vacation Ownership: A Model Distinct from Classic Loyalty Programmes
Minor Vacation Club operates on a “vacation ownership” model, not to be confused with a traditional hotel loyalty programme. In a loyalty programme, points are earned free of charge by staying or spending, on top of a stay paid for separately. In vacation ownership, the customer directly purchases a volume of points, typically for a substantial sum, granting them a recurring right of use, each year, across the programme’s network of resorts.
Minor Vacation Club’s “Points Owners” can therefore book stays not only at the Club Resorts dedicated to the programme, but also at the group’s affiliated properties beyond the historic Anantara brand, including Avani, Elewana and Oaks.
Eighteen Years at the Helm of Accor Vacation Club
Craig Wood led Accor Vacation Club as CEO from February 2008 to February 2026, more than eighteen years, based in Australia. Under his leadership, the organisation established itself as one of the leading vacation ownership programmes in Australia and New Zealand, before being sold to Travel + Leisure Co. in 2024, a deal that expanded the latter’s international portfolio at the time.
This long-standing experience managing a vacation ownership resort network is cited by Minor Hotels as one of the key strengths behind the appointment. The group’s statement notes that Craig Wood brings recognised expertise in the sector to support Minor Hotels’ growth and development.
A Roadmap Focused on Japan and Brand Evolution
In his arrival message, Craig Wood describes a pivotal period for the business, following the recent shift to Minor Vacation Club and the continued expansion of the Club Resorts portfolio in Asia, notably in Japan, where two new properties have been announced in Kyoto. Points Owners will be able to stay there using points they have already acquired, without any additional purchase, as with any other destination in the network. Craig Wood also indicated he wants to explore new ownership products and solutions.
Governance and Operational Priorities
According to Minor Hotels, Craig Wood will work closely with teams across the organisation to drive the group’s commercial and operational objectives, while fostering the cross-functional collaboration needed for this new phase to succeed. His appointment comes amid a string of leadership changes at Minor Hotels, as the group continues its policy of strategic appointments across several of its subsidiaries.
No successor has yet been named to lead Accor Vacation Club, with the business now integrated into Travel + Leisure Co. following the 2024 sale.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Craig Wood appointed Managing Director of Minor Vacations
Craig Wood joins Minor Hotels as Managing Director of Minor Vacations, effective July 2026
He previously served 18 years as CEO of Accor Vacation Club (2008-2026), based in Australia
Move follows the rebrand of Anantara Vacation Club into Minor Vacation Club
Two new Club Resorts are set to open in Kyoto, Japan
Wood will oversee commercial and operational strategy across Minor Vacations
