In 2016, Ho Renyung took on the role of senior vice-president of her family’s business, Banyan Tree Group. Taking the reins of a globally renowned luxury hotels and resorts brand might sound like something glamorous out of Gossip Girl or Succession. But the soulful scion prefers to fly under the radar and has been quietly working to bring the Banyan Tree brand into the future with an acute sense of purpose, specifically in the areas of sustainability and humanity.
“Through the years, luxury has evolved to become more personalised,” says Ho, who is based in Singapore. “Customers today want experiences they have a personal connection with, and brands that drive emotional responses will be the ones that last through seasons and trends. True luxury is feeling rejuvenated through the healing power of nature, or having a renewed sense of purpose after experiencing local culture.”
And nothing exemplifies Ho’s vision for the brand quite like Buahan: A Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, which opened in June this year. One of the most anticipated and talked about resort openings for 2022, the property has made headline after headline for pioneering a bold “no doors, no walls” concept.
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