Desmond Lee-San may be boss of his company, but he still plays tour guide to lend a personal touch in a fiercely competitive industry.

by Chin Mui Yoon
star2@thestar.com.my

Dato Desmond Leesan

Desmond Lee-San may be boss of his company, but he still plays tour guide to lend a personal touch in a fiercely competitive industry.

CHANCES are you have seen Datuk Desmond Lee-San somewhere. His jolly, smiling face appears on billboards at traffic junctions around Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley. Each features him against an enticingly exotic destination, amid fields of fragrant lavender, cherry blossoms framing red pagodas or skiers during white winters, proudly proclaiming: “Apple with you around the world!”

Rarely do we find the managing director of a major travel agency personally leading tours. Lee is a frequent face in many of Apple Vacations and Conventions tours abroad.

“It is such a privilege to bring Malaysians to travel with me,” says Lee, 46, during an interview, his face beaming like it does on billboards. He appears surprised when we wonder why a director would take time to be in the field.

Mingling with customers: Datuk Desmond Lee-San makes it a point to attend the annual Matta Fair to meet and talk to customers. — Pic courtesy of Datuk Desmond Lee-San

Newspaper clipping of The Star on 11th July 2011

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*Full story in The Star, 11th July 2011