The South African is part of a 25-man field for the 10-kilometre race on August 16 at Fort Copacabana against the backdrop of the world's most famous beach which will bring the swimming programme at the Rio Games to a close.
"We could definitely do with a lot more recognition for the sport," Ho told Reuters.
"I can understand that people don't want to sit down and watch an event for two hours; they want racing to be over in a matter of seconds.
"But if you actually watch the race there are so many things that go on. It's just as exciting as the pool events. A lot of races end in photo finishes. But I feel it's on the way up."
It will be only the third time the event has been held at the Olympics.
"I can see it getting very popular," added Ho, winner of the 5km race at last year's world championships in Kazan.
The Olympics does not have a 5km event but Ho's focus is usually on the 10km, in which he finished less than a minute behind American Jordan Wilimovsky in Kazan.
