Board of Advisors
Victor Foo Yip Hon is one of Asia’s most accomplished hospitality leaders, with 44 years of experience spanning integrated resorts, hotels, gaming, and leisure management across Malaysia and the region. His story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance: Victor began his career in 1980 as a waiter at Holiday Inn On The Park in Kuala Lumpur before pursuing a Hotel Management degree at Les Roches, Switzerland, where he trained across every facet of hotel operations — from the kitchen to the front desk. It is this ground-up understanding of hospitality that has defined his leadership philosophy ever since.
Rising swiftly through the ranks, Victor became Resident Manager of Cherating Holiday Villa Beach Resort at just 27 years of age. His career trajectory took a defining turn in 1994 when he joined Genting Highlands Resort, where he would go on to oversee the world’s largest hotel — the iconic First World Hotel with 7,351 rooms — as Vice President of Hotel Operations from 2006 to 2017. He also stewarded five major properties under his portfolio, including Genting Grand and Maxims, which in 2018 became the first hotels in Malaysia to earn a Forbes Travel Guide rating, a milestone that cemented his legacy in Malaysian hospitality.
Victor’s leadership ethos centres on building cultures where happy, engaged employees create loyal, satisfied guests. His contributions extend beyond the property level — he has served on industry panels, contributed to Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Program, and was honoured with the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award for General Manager of the Year in 2010. He holds advanced qualifications from Cornell University, Harvard Business School, Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management, and a Master in International Hospitality Management from Taylor’s University in partnership with the University of Toulouse Le Mirail (2011–2012), as well as the Certified Hotel Administrator designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Since retiring in 2020, Victor has channelled his expertise into consultancy and academia, serving as Adjunct Professor at Asia Pacific University, International VP of Hospitality with the International AI Association, and Senior Consultant with Aariana Hospitality International and MIHR Consulting. His presence on the Asianhotelier.Org Advisory Board brings invaluable practical wisdom and an enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation of Asian hospitality talent.