Ho Kwon Ping's extraordinary journey from a pro-Communist activist to a leading figure in the global hospitality industry epitomizes resilience and vision. Born in Hong Kong, Ho spent much of his childhood in Thailand, influenced by his father, Ho Rih Hwa, a prominent businessman who co-founded the Thai Wah Public Company and led the Wah Chang Group. Ho's early years were marked by a fervent activism at Stanford University, where he vocally opposed the Vietnam War and participated in various campus protests, including one against American inventor William Shockley. His activism led to his suspension from the university and later imprisonment for being pro-Communist under Singapore's Internal Security Act. Despite these setbacks, Ho's entrepreneurial spirit emerged as he transitioned from journalism to developing a luxury resort empire.
After serving a two-month prison sentence in 1977, described as "scary, lonely, depressing and reflective," Ho returned to journalism, working as a freelance writer for the now-defunct Far Eastern Economic Review. His journalistic pursuits brought him back to Hong Kong, where he and his wife, Claire Chiang, settled in the small fishing village of Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island. It was here that Ho began cultivating his vision for entrepreneurship, as he explored new ventures alongside his family.
"I had not always wanted to be an entrepreneur," Ho Kwon Ping remarked, reflecting on his career trajectory. "It's just that the few times where I started working for other people, it didn't really work… I'm quite individualistic. I became an entrepreneur more by the lack of other avenues."
In 1984, Ho acquired over 550 acres of coastal land in Bang Tao Bay, Phuket. The land, once an abandoned tin mine, became the foundation for Ho's ambitious project of establishing a luxury resort. With the support of his wife and brother, he designed several hotels and resorts on the property. Initially employing Thai companies and international brands like Sheraton for management, Ho faced challenges in marketing certain parcels of land without beachfront access.
"We designed the first hotel, and we managed to get a Thai company to manage it. A second hotel — Sheraton managed it, and third and fourth and so on," Ho explained. "And then the last piece of land had no beach [so] nobody wanted to manage it."
In 1994, Ho's determination bore fruit with the opening of Banyan Tree Phuket, the flagship luxury resort complete with the first Banyan Tree Spa. This development marked a significant milestone for Ho as he introduced innovative concepts such as the 'all-pool villa' hotel and pioneered the 'tropical spa,' concepts that were novel at the time.
"This was 30 years ago, so the notion of an 'all-pool villa' hotel didn't exist… we've also pioneered the 'tropical spa,'" Ho stated.
Ho's vision extended beyond mere business success. He aspired to create a unique brand identity rather than managing disparate businesses. This led to the establishment of Banyan Group, a hospitality giant with a portfolio of 12 global brands. The company has grown significantly since its inception, boasting a market capitalization of SG$300 million and generating approximately $328 million Singapore dollars in revenue in 2023.
"Innovation doesn't drop from the sky… it was a response to a need," Ho emphasized regarding his entrepreneurial approach.
Despite his success in the hospitality industry, Ho's journey was not without challenges. His past as a student activist remained a defining aspect of his character. Reflecting on his earlier years, he acknowledged personal growth and evolution over time.
"No, I've grown up. The kinds of things I was doing, you can't keep doing forever. You'll go to jail permanently, and also you're not effective," Ho admitted.
During his time at Stanford University, Ho's participation in protests against racial views espoused by William Shockley led to his expulsion.
"I was thrown out because of my attending with the Black Students Union, a protest they had against a guy called William Shockley, who won the Nobel Prize for creating semiconductors, but who also had a strange view about eugenics. He wrote several books saying that Blacks should be sterilized," recalled Ho.