Pioneers of Banyan Tree Brand Recognised for Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award in Shanghai

23 Apr 2009


Shanghai, China – Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited (“Banyan Tree” or “the Group”), Mr Ho KwonPing, and co-founder, Ms. Claire Chiang, were jointly presented with the Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual China Hotel Investment Summit held in Shanghai today. The Summit was attended by industry leaders of the international hotel community, as well as prominent Chinese hoteliers.

The award recognises extraordinary leadership, accomplishments and contributions to the hospitality industry. As the pioneers and the driving force behind the development of the award-winning Banyan Tree brand, the couple is being credited for their contribution to the luxury tourism market, as well as for having successfully expanded the leading luxury resort and spa brand within Asia and beyond. Earlier this year, the Group made its first foray into the Americas with the opening of its 132-villa resort, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The Group is also expected to open its second Mexican resort, Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués later this year.

In addition to their business accomplishments, the husband and wife team has also been jointly chosen for their contribution and efforts in championing sustainable tourism and advocating and implementing eco-friendly practices in all of their resorts. Since the inception of the brand with Banyan Tree Phuket in Thailand, Corporate and Social Responsibility has been embedded as a core value in the Group’s business strategy, where success is measured not only by financial performance, but more importantly, by the ability to make a positive and lasting impact on the communities in which they operate.

The Group’s first Banyan Tree resort in China, Banyan Tree Ringha, was built with these sustainable principles in mind. The resort comprised authentic Tibetan farmhouses that were selected and purchased from the local villagers, and thereafter, meticulously reconstructed in the traditional style to keep intact the original character of the dwellings. By ensuring that no newly cut timber were required, the impact on the environment was also minimised.

On her philosophy, Ms Claire Chiang said, “At Banyan Tree we believe that value-based business can be a positive driving force in transforming the world. We believe that the basis of success is a blend of both reason and emotions; and only by pursuing our efforts with heartfelt passion can we meaningfully execute our business and do it well. The ultimate aim is to create unique and memorable experience for our guests, what we term ‘a sanctuary for the senses’. As resort developers, our projects are also built with environmental technologies embedded in their design. And to ensure that we contribute to the community by more than just employing villagers, we have in place social outreach and community improvement projects, so that we do not become enclaves of luxury in a sea of poor peasantry.” Today, Banyan Tree has a significant presence in China, with three resorts - Banyan Tree Ringha and Banyan Tree Lijiang in Yunnan province, and Banyan Tree Sanya in Hainan island. As the Banyan Tree Group’s flagship resort in China, Banyan Tree Lijiang pioneered the luxury pool villa experience in the Yunnan region, connecting guests to the culture as well as environment of this historic locale. To cater to the growing demand, Banyan Tree Lijiang recently introduced an additional 34 new suites and villas to its extensive Naxi-styled resort grounds, bringing its total inventory to 122 villas.

Elaborating on the China market, Mr Ho said, “China is now taking the central position in our growth strategy. As we witness the historic rise of China to its rightful place in the community of nations, we are proud that Banyan Tree can play a small role in this process. We now have close to a dozen more Banyan Tree and Angsana properties in the pipeline for China, most notably Banyan Tree Hangzhou, which will open later this year.”

He added, “Our intentional strategy is to be destination makers, not followers. Throughout our history, whether it be in Phuket, the Maldives or Seychelles, we have tried to seize the first-mover advantage to compensate for our small size. By focusing on mystical, inland China, we hope to pioneer a new wave of iconic and culturally rich destinations which Chinese and international tourists will enjoy, where the appreciation of one’s own architectural, cultural, historical and artistic heritage is seen as more meaningful than blindly aping pseudo-Western lifestyles or brands.”

Banyan Tree’s strategic presence in China is an indication of its confidence in the region’s vast outbound and inbound tourism market, including intra-travel within China. Moving forward, the Group has announced that it will be opening in key cities in China including Beijing, Dunhuang, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province; Lhasa, Tibet; Macau and Yangshuo, Guilin.