JHTA Honours Tourism Trailblazers as Christopher Issa Named 2026 Hotelier of the Year

Industry celebrates excellence, leadership and lifetime contributions at landmark 65th Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 1 July 2026 — Jamaica's tourism industry paused to celebrate the individuals and organisations whose vision, innovation and unwavering commitment continue to define the country's global reputation as a premier destination, as the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) staged its prestigious Awards Luncheon during the Association's 65th Annual General Meeting and Tourism Forum on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Held at Sandals Dunn's River, the ceremony brought together tourism leaders, government officials, hoteliers, attractions, airlines, allied partners and industry stakeholders for an afternoon dedicated to recognising those whose work has elevated Jamaica's tourism product and strengthened one of the country's most important economic sectors.

The awards represented the highest honours bestowed by the JHTA, celebrating exceptional leadership, service, sustainability, innovation and partnership across every segment of the industry.

Newly elected JHTA President O'Brian Heron said the ceremony reflected the values that have made Jamaica's tourism industry one of the country's greatest success stories.  "Our industry has never been built by buildings alone—it has been built by people. The individuals and organisations we honour today represent the very best of Jamaican tourism. Their leadership, innovation, resilience and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen our destination, inspire confidence and create opportunities for thousands of Jamaicans. As the JHTA looks to the future, we remain committed to recognising those who lead by example while ensuring that every member has a strong voice in shaping the future of our industry," Heron said.

The afternoon's most coveted honour—the 2026 Hotelier of the Year Award—was presented to Christopher Issa, whose visionary leadership, investment and enduring commitment to destination development have helped transform Jamaica's tourism landscape.

In presenting the award, the Association recognised Issa not only for building successful hospitality enterprises, but also for creating employment, investing in communities, supporting national development initiatives and demonstrating that sustainable tourism succeeds when communities prosper alongside the industry.

"Tourism is ultimately about people," the Association noted during the presentation. "Great destinations are built by visionary leaders who understand that business success and national development must go hand in hand. Christopher Issa exemplifies that philosophy."

Another defining moment of the ceremony came as the JHTA paid tribute to one of the country's greatest tourism pioneers, The Honourable Godfrey Glengoffe Dyer, OJ, CD, JP, with a Special Award recognising a lifetime of visionary leadership and extraordinary service to Jamaican tourism.

Widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Jamaican tourism, Dr. Dyer's remarkable career has influenced virtually every aspect of the industry—from hotel development and destination marketing to policy, investment, tourism enhancement and institutional leadership. His decades of service continue to inspire generations of tourism professionals and remain deeply woven into the fabric of Jamaica's hospitality sector.

The Association also honoured Frank Sondern, Managing Director of RIU Hotels & Resorts Jamaica, with the President's Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and lasting contribution to Jamaica's tourism industry. Under his stewardship, RIU has grown into one of Jamaica's leading resort operators, creating thousands of jobs while investing significantly in the country's tourism product and strengthening partnerships that continue to benefit local communities.

The ceremony also celebrated three distinguished tourism pioneers with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising careers that have collectively helped shape the evolution of Jamaica's hospitality industry.

Honoured were Samuel James of Savon Management Services Limited and former Vice President of SuperClubs Resorts, Mike Drakulich of Mystic Mountain, and Peter Fraser of Sandals Resorts International.

Together, the three honourees represent more than a century of leadership, mentorship, operational excellence and innovation that has strengthened Jamaica's tourism sector and inspired countless hospitality professionals.

One of the afternoon's most emotional moments came as internationally acclaimed football icon and Manchester City superstar Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, CD, received the Abe Issa Award for Excellence.

Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers in the world, Shaw was recognised not only for her extraordinary sporting achievements but also for elevating Jamaica's image on the global stage. Through her record-breaking career, inspirational leadership and unwavering pride in representing her homeland, she has become one of Brand Jamaica's most powerful ambassadors, embodying the spirit of excellence, resilience and national pride that the award represents.

The ceremony also recognised outstanding achievement across the wider tourism industry.

Among the major award recipients were Mystic Mountain, named Attraction of the Year; American Airlines, recognised as International Airline of the Year; Island Routes Caribbean Adventures, which received the Ground Transportation Company of the Year Award; Sixt Rent A Car, honoured as Allied Member of the Year; and Austrojam and Oxford Traders Limited, both shared the Purveyor of the Year Award.

In the hospitality categories, Angele Nunez of Rose Hall Developments Limited was named Tourism Employee of the Year; Mikada Brown of Sandals South Coast received the Hotel Employee of the Year Award; Susan Johnson of Sandals South Coast was recognised as Hotel Supervisor of the Year; Chef Juan Morrison of Sandals Dunn's River earned the title of Executive Chef of the Year; while Trecia Kettle of Sandals Royal Plantation was honoured as Hotel Manager of the Year.

Environmental leadership was also celebrated, with Iberostar Resorts Jamaica receiving the Environmental Sustainability Award – Large Property Category and Oxford Traders Limited, the Environmental Sustainability Award (Small/Allied Business Category) for their continued commitment to sustainable operations and responsible tourism practices.

The Association also presented Dahlia Walker of Deja Resort with a Special Award for Outstanding Service in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the Montego Bay Chapter of the JHTA, while Ms. Vana Taylor, JP, received the prestigious JHTA Godfrey Dyer Award, honouring her decades of dedicated leadership and service to the Association and the wider tourism industry.

The awards ceremony formed part of the JHTA's 65th Annual General Meeting and Tourism Forum, which convened industry leaders and government representatives to discuss the future of Jamaica's tourism sector, including competitiveness, sustainability, infrastructure, investment and industry advocacy.

The event underscored the Association's ongoing commitment to recognising excellence while celebrating the individuals and organisations whose leadership continues to shape the future of Jamaican tourism.