# Lee Ee Hoe

Dato' Sri Lee Ee Hoe, JP (Chinese: 李益輝; pinyin: Lǐ Yìhuī; born 5 July 1964), also known as Leesan, is a Malaysian businessman in the tourism industry. He was the first recipient in the tourism industry to be bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Emperor of Japan in 2015. This is in recognition of his longstanding contributions in the development and promotion of tourism between Japan and Malaysia, as well as his bold move to lead the first tour to Japan soon after Japan's devastating tsunami and earthquake in 2011.
On 28 Dec 2020, Lee was awarded the Miri Mayor Special Award in recognition for his contributions and support towards Sarawak’s tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As of November 2024, Lee has traveled to 147 countries.

## Early life and education

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, planned scouting trips for their school troops. After secondary school, he became a licensed tourist guide in Malaysia. He continued his tertiary education in Japan and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tokyo International University. After graduating, he returned to Malaysia with experience in the Japanese tour industry and set up a travel agency, Apple Vacations Sdn Bhd in 1996.

## Business career

Lee is the co-founder and Group Executive Chairman of Apple Vacations Sdn Bhd (Formerly known as Apple Vacations & Conventions Sdn Bhd), the first overseas travel agency to receive the "Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner’s Commendation Award". Apple Vacations also introduced Malaysia Airlines' first charter flight to Hokkaido in 2010. He is the Lifetime Overseas Advisor of Taiwan Leisure Farm Development Association since 2009.
He is also best known for his work in the tourism industry and is an active columnist for newspapers, magazines and other publications.
As of July 2024, he has authored six travel books, the latest being Isshokenmei, Story Of A Globe-Trotter, his first book in English.
Lee was also the executive director from April 2016 - May 2023 for main board-listed company Yong Tai Berhad (7066), which holds the licence to produce and stage Impression Melaka. The Impression Melaka show, is a tourism project under the National Key Economic Area. In February 2013, a memorandum was signed with China Impression Wonders Art Development Co Ltd. 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.

## International business ventures

In 2014, Apple Vacations Sdn Bhd started collaborating with Marriott International to develop the first Courtyard by Marriott in Malacca. It is planned to be in Malacca's central tourism district and to open in 2017.

## Awards and recognition
### Honours of Malaysia

* Sarawak :
** Miri Mayor Special Award (2020)
* Negeri Sembilan :
** Medal for Outstanding Public Service Bronze Medal (PMC) (2004)
** Justice of the Peace (JP) (2008)
* Pahang :
** Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) - Dato' (2007)
** Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) - Dato' Sri (2013)
* Individual Award of "1st Malaysia Golden Entrepreneurs Award – Best Of The Best Leading Industry Award of 2013" (2014) by The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Guilds Association

### Foreign honours

* Japan :
** "Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner’s Commendation Award 2013" (2013) by Japan Tourism Agency
** "Mie Prefecture Overseas Tourism Ambassador" (2014) by Government of Mie Prefecture Japan
** 5th Class, Gold and Silver Rays of the Order of the Rising Sun (2015) by Emperor of Japan