Tourism icons to be honoured in Miami for philanthropy
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:27 AMGareth Davis Snr/Gleaner Writer
Brothers Lee and Paul Issa, from one of Jamaica’s most iconic tourism families, will be honoured for their humanitarian and philanthropic work at a charity gala in Miami, Florida, on April 5.
The duo, sons of the late Abe Issa, who is widely considered the father of the all-inclusive hotel concept in Jamaica, will be recognised by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) for their profound impact on Caribbean tourism and other initiatives.
For over three decades, the AFJ has channeled resources to enhance education, health, and community development in Jamaica. This nonprofit organisation has been instrumental in uplifting communities, working with both local and international partners to foster sustainable growth.
Lee Issa, chairman of Couples Resorts, which includes the flagship Couples Hotel in Tower Isle, St Mary, is a towering figure in the Caribbean tourism landscape. He manages four celebrated properties that collectively house over 900 rooms and employ 1,600 dedicated staff members.
“It’s always a pleasure to be recognised for something so meaningful,” Lee Issa told The Gleaner during a recent sit-down at his St Mary property.
“For my family, it has never been all about business. It is also about public service and giving back to our communities.”
Beyond tourism, Lee’s entrepreneurial ventures include Lee’s 5th Avenue Apparel Stores and the successful Richmond Estate Project in St Ann, which has provided over 1,100 homes.
His multifaceted contributions have not only raised the standards of Jamaican tourism but also invigorated the local economy, creating valuable job opportunities.
Meanwhile, Paul Issa, a director of the House of Issa and chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, has made significant strides in humanitarian work. His efforts in public health have led to partnerships with global nonprofits, facilitating approximately US$40 million in medical supplies for Jamaica’s health sector.
His latest project, the Mary Issa Pediatric and Adolescent Health Centre, currently under construction in Richmond, St Ann, aims to revolutionise healthcare for the island’s youth.
“We are thrilled with the progress thus far,” Paul stated, while expressing gratitude to the AFJ for the humanitarian award.
“This health centre represents a game changer for the young people of the North Coast and beyond, offering essentially free pediatric healthcare at a high standard,” he pointed out.
‘TRULY INSPIRING’
The gala at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami promises to be a night of inspiration, gathering supporters from around the globe to celebrate the Issa brothers’ legacies.
The AFJ expressed its enthusiasm, stating, “Their commitment to enhancing the lives of others and their dedication to Jamaica’s development is truly inspiring.”
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, also commended the brothers, highlighting their significant contributions to the hospitality sector.
“As Jamaica continues to navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world, leaders like Lee and Paul Issa serve as a source of inspiration and resilience,” Minister Bartlett said.
“Their efforts uplift communities and set a benchmark for future generations.”
Meanwhile, Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, a marketing spokesperson for The Issa Trust Foundation, said that having a ringside seat over the years to the philanthropic endeavours of Paul Issa has given him “an incredible insight” into how seriously the Issa family takes its role as a dedicated and responsible corporate entity.
“One only has to look at the Mary Issa Health Centre, which is well underway, to appreciate what this family has been doing by way of charity work in this country,” Edwards said.