JOHN ISSA, chairman of SuperClubs, is a businessman, hotelier, diplomat. The Caribbean pioneer of the all-inclusive resort, he is being featured on the 1904-2004 Jamaica Hotel Law Centenary Stamp sheetlet series.
The series of stamps features personalities credited with the inception and subsequent development of Jamaica's hotel and tourism infrastructure. Mr. Issa is featured side-by-side on the sheetlets with his uncle, the late Abe Issa, the first Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). This marks the first time in Jamaica's stamp history, that an uncle and nephew have been featured on a single sheetlet.
When contacted by The Gleaner yesterday, Mr. Issa, who was Chairman of the JTB from 1983-1989, said being featured on the stamps has made him very proud.
"I feel extremely pleased that the postal services saw it fit to include me in this series of stamps. I really am very happy," he said.
Having spent over 40 years in the tourism industry, Mr. Issa has garnered numerous awards and has often been praised for his pioneering work and service to the sector. He told The Gleaner what he considered his greatest achievement thus far.
"I am proudest of being able to introduce the all-inclusive holiday in Jamaica during a very difficult period in the seventies," he said.
Mr. Issa added that he was happy to be featured alongside his uncle on the stamps, noting that while the latter was still active, they worked well together.
Admitting that it was somewhat strange seeing his own image on the stamps, Mr. Issa joked, " I'll be sending a lot more mail than usual, and a lot less email."
