Lee Ee Hoe

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Lee Ee Hoe
Dato' Sri Lee Ee Hoe.jpg
Native name 李益輝
Born (1964-07-05) 5 July 1964 (age 51)
Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia
Residence Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Education Tokyo International University
Occupation Group Executive Chairman
Children 2

Dato' Sri Lee Ee Hoe, JP (Chinese: 李益輝; born 5 July 1964), also known as Lee San, is a Malaysian tourist guide and entrepreneur based in Kuala Lumpur. He is best known for his work in the tourism industry and is an active columnist for newspapers, magazines and other publications.

Travel Around the World with Lee San – North Pole 2014

On 8 June 2015, Lee was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays[1][2][3] by the Emperor of Japan in recognition of his long standing contributions in the development and promotion of tourism between Japan and Malaysia.[4][5][6] In 2013, Apple Vacations & Conventions, which he and Koh Yock Heng founded, became the first overseas travel company to receive the "Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner’s Commendation Award".[2]

Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays

On 17 July 2015, Lee launched his first book at the Hong Kong Book Fair about his travel experiences and his perspective of the world.[7]

Book Launch – Hong Kong Book Fair 2015

Early life and education[edit]

Lee was born in Yong Peng, Johor. His interest in travel and sharing travel information started at a young age. In school, he and his friend and future business partner, Koh Yock Heng, planned scouting trips for their school troops. After secondary school, he became a licensed tour guide in Malaysia. He continued his tertiary education in Japan and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tokyo International University.[8] After graduating, he returned to Malaysia with experience in the Japanese tour industry and set up a travel agency, Apple Vacations & Conventions, with Heng in 1996.[8][9]

Business career[edit]

Lee is the co-founder and Group Executive Chairman of Apple Vacations & Conventions, which introduced Malaysia Airlines' first charter flight to Hokkaido in 2010.[10] He has been an advisor of the Taiwanese Leisure Farming Development Association[11] since 2009.[12]

International business ventures[edit]

In 2014, Apple Vacations & Conventions started collaborating with Marriott International to develop the first Courtyard by Marriott in Malacca.[13] It is planned to be in Malacca’s central tourism district and to open in 2017.[14]

Courtyard by Marriott Melaka – Ground Breaking Ceremony

The Impression Melaka[15] show, scheduled to launched in October 2014, was expected to attract 1.2 million tourists per year, generating RM179 million of gross national income for Malaysia. It is a tourism project under the National Key Economic Area.[16] In February 2013, a memorandum was signed with China Impression Wonders Art Development Co Ltd.[16][17] The project was endorsed by Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Dato' Seri Nazri Aziz and the project launch in May in Beijing was witnessed by former Tourism Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.[17]

Honours and Awards[edit]

Japan[edit]

Malaysia[edit]

  • 2014 – Honoured with the Individual Award of "1st Malaysia Golden Entrepreneurs Award – Best Of The Best Leading Industry Award of 2013" by The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Guilds Association
  • 2013 – Conferred with the Title of “Dato' Sri” by the Sultan of Pahang
  • 2008 – Appointed with the Title of “Justice of the Peace” by the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan
  • 2007 – Conferred with the Title of “Dato” by the Sultan of Pahang
  • 2004 – Conferred with the Public Service Medal by the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Conferment Ceremony of 2015 Spring Imperial Decorations". Embassy of Japan. Retrieved 8 June 2015. 
  2. ^ a b "Travel company founder receives Japanese honour". The Star Newspaper. Retrieved 10 June 2015. 
  3. ^ "The Order of the Rising Sun honor". Senyum Japanese Lifestyle Magazine Malaysia. Retrieved 8 July 2015. 
  4. ^ "Gifu Prefecture Promotional Event". Embassy of Japan. Retrieved 3 June 2014. 
  5. ^ "Apple Vacations promotes Japan itineraries". TTG Asia. Retrieved 14 April 2011. 
  6. ^ "Apple's Hokkaido-bound tours prove popular". TTG Asia. Retrieved 13 May 2011. 
  7. ^ "Travel with your heart". Sin Chew Daily Newspaper. Retrieved 23 July 2015. 
  8. ^ a b Lee, Joy (27 February 2014). "The world at their feet". The Star Online. Retrieved 19 October 2015. 
  9. ^ "Travel agency stays at forefront". The Star Newspaper. Retrieved 13 September 2014. 
  10. ^ "Seamless flight from KL to exotic Hokkaido". Retrieved July 29, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Leisure farm owners in town to share experiences". The Star Newspaper. Retrieved 21 May 2010. 
  12. ^ "Double Happiness Knock At Door APPLE Founders Bestowed with Dato’ Sri Title". Apple 101. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2015. 
  13. ^ "Marriott to debut Courtyard in Malaysia". TTG Asia. Retrieved 14 April 2014. 
  14. ^ Courtyard by Marriott, Malacca. "Hospitality tie-up for Malacca". Retrieved April 19, 2014. 
  15. ^ "Tour company expands into property development in Malacca". The Star Newspaper. Retrieved 20 December 2014. 
  16. ^ a b "Tourism National Key Economic Area". The Economic Transformation Programme Malaysia. Retrieved 3 September 2013. 
  17. ^ a b Wong, June (3 September 2013). "Malacca set to make an Impression". The Star Online. Retrieved 19 October 2015. 
  18. ^ "Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner’s Commendation Award 2013". The Star Newspaper. Retrieved 14 February 2015. 

External links[edit]