Chairman of Couples Resorts to Receive CD on October 20

On National Heroes’ Day, October 20, Jamaica will honour Chairman of Couples Resorts, Lee Issa, with the Order of Distinction, Commander Class (CD), for Service in the Field of Tourism

The recognition caps a life steeped in Jamaica’s tourism evolution, a life in which a strong family history and an unyielding drive to forge an independent path intersect to redefine hospitality in the Caribbean.

To Mr. Issa, his recognition on National Heroes’ Day is not just a ceremonial moment but also it is a public acknowledgment of a career that has shaped Jamaica’s most iconic hospitality brands.

The award recognises a lifetime of leadership that has blended tradition with innovation, performance with philanthropy, and a personal touch with global reach.

Born into a tourism dynasty, Mr. Issa stands not merely as a steward of a family business but as a pioneer who carved his own niche.

His father, the late Abe Issa, is celebrated as the father of the all-inclusive hotel concept in Jamaica, a model that would become the heartbeat of Caribbean leisure.

Yet, Mr. Issa’s journey diverged from the shadow of his lineage, a deliberate stride towards creating “my own identity”, while honouring a legacy that shaped an industry.

In Negril, Westmoreland, Mr. Issa built the breathtaking Swept Away Resort, a landmark that embodies the lush beauty and the high standard of service that Jamaica’s all-inclusive model seeks to deliver.

It was his first major venture from under the family umbrella, a bold statement that a second generation could innovate within a familiar framework.

“I wanted to have my own identity and people to know me for what I have done, not just carrying on the tradition of my father,” Mr. Issa tells JIS News in an interview, reflecting on his motivation to chart his own course while paying homage to his roots.

Mr. Issa’s entrepreneurial footprint extends beyond the sands of Negril. He is also the man behind the famed Lee’s Fifth Avenue, a retail outlet that began in Tropical Plaza in Kingston.

The retail enterprise and the resort business sit at the core of Mr. Issa’s diversified portfolio, now anchored by a broader family enterprise and a growing development arm.

The new ventures include Issa Homes, a company focused on building upscale homes in exclusive communities, signalling a broader brand reach beyond hospitality.

Family remains a central pillar of Mr. Issa’s narrative. He speaks of a close-knit extended family – siblings, nephews, and a new generation of leaders who participate in the family business.

His two sons play pivotal roles – one serves as Deputy Chairman of Couples Resorts, while the other, oversees the operation of the retail stores and the group’s broader strategic initiatives.

The family’s business philosophy is built on continuity, mentorship, and a hands-on approach that keeps the entrepreneur at the helm of daily operations.

This personal and professional integration extends to social responsibility. The Issa family’s philanthropic arm, the Issa Trust Foundation, focuses on education and health, with initiatives that reflect the family’s long-standing commitment to Jamaica.

The Foundation’s gaze now turns towards a new health centre in Richmond, St. Mary, a facility designed to serve children and adolescents and scheduled to open in 2026.

This effort resonates with a lineage of charitable work that includes the Mary Issa Clinic – a family legacy rooted in a grandmother’s compassion for children and a long-standing tradition of community care.

“The Foundation is very important to us and has been doing great work in communities across Jamaica. My brother Paul and his incredible team of Diane Pollard, Alex Gishays, Sean Contractor Edwards; and patrons the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, and Her Excellency Lady Allen, deserve all the credit for doing a fantastic job, raising millions for healthcare annually,” Mr. Issa tells JIS News.

Mr. Issa’s achievements and continued relevance in Jamaica’s tourism landscape were recently recognised by the American Friends of Jamaica, an honour paired with his brother Paul Issa’s contributions to the island.

The award underscores the nature of their impact – both men have not only expanded business platforms but also reinforced Jamaica’s image as a global hub for leisure, culture, and responsible development.

Reflecting on the state of Jamaica’s tourism sector, Mr. Issa highlights a period of robust growth. The country’s hospitality industry, he notes, has moved from modest milestones to record numbers, with the industry anticipating sustained momentum.

If Abe Issa were alive today, the Chairman believes his father would be proud of the trajectory of the all-inclusive concept that began in 1978 and has since become a cornerstone of Caribbean hospitality.

“He would say he’s happy to see how the concept has taken off to such an extent, not only for Jamaican resorts but for Caribbean destinations,” he says.