Meet Issia Thelwell
Issia Thelwell is an accomplished commercial leader with over 10 years of progressive executive experience driving revenue growth, commercial strategy, brand positioning, and market expansion within the luxury hospitality industry. She has a proven track record of leading integrated Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, and Operations strategies for internationally recognized luxury resorts, consistently exceeding revenue objectives, strengthening market positioning, and cultivating strategic partnerships across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Recognized for building high-performing teams and enduring relationships with global travel networks, luxury advisors, corporate stakeholders, and executive leadership, Issia translates commercial vision into measurable business results through data-driven decision-making, innovative marketing, strategic partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration.
A Les Roches alumna and member of the inaugural class of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Young Leaders, Issia is committed to continuous professional development and contributing to the next generation of leadership within the Caribbean tourism and hospitality industry.
A proud Jamaican, she is deeply committed to the continued advancement of Jamaica on the global stage and passionate about leveraging her experience across luxury hospitality, tourism, and real estate to strengthen the island’s global competitiveness, attract investment, and reinforce Jamaica’s position as one of the world’s most compelling destinations.
Career Highlights
Consistently exceeded commercial revenue objectives throughout progressive leadership roles within luxury hospitality.
Surpassed annual sales production targets by more than 200% while increasing room revenue and ancillary revenues.
Increased non-package Food & Beverage revenue by over 60% through innovative guest experiences and strategic activations.
Improved Meeting Planner Net Promoter Score by 50%, Likelihood to Recommend by 30%, and Group Sales site conversion by 60%.
Led strategic partnerships with leading luxury travel networks including Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, Signature, Internova, and Ensemble.
Successfully represented luxury hospitality brands at international trade shows, sales missions, and executive client engagements throughout North America and Europe.
Director of Leisure Sales
Provided executive commercial leadership for luxury leisure sales while driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships and international market expansion.
Executive Achievements
Directed commercial strategy across luxury leisure, retail, consortia, wholesale, and package segments.
Expanded strategic partnerships with Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, Signature Travel Network, and other luxury distribution channels.
Collaborated with Revenue Management and Marketing to maximize market share, profitability, and commercial performance.
Directed international sales missions, executive client engagement, FAM trips, and strategic account development.
Delivered executive commercial reporting and performance analytics supporting senior leadership decision-making.
Half Moon Resort
2023 - 2026
Senior Group Sales Manager
Half Moon Resort
Directed strategic group sales initiatives supporting luxury meetings, incentives, conferences, weddings, and corporate events.
Executive Achievements
Exceeded annual sales production targets by more than 200%.
Managed a multidisciplinary commercial team supporting Leisure, Group, and Wedding Sales.
Negotiated high-value contracts while maximizing room revenue and ancillary spend.
Contributed to annual budgeting, forecasting, commercial planning, and integrated marketing strategies.
Strengthened relationships with international meeting planners, incentive houses, corporate clients, and strategic partners.
2022- 2023
Sales & Marketing Manager
Directed international sales, marketing, business development, and commercial strategy for one of the Caribbean's premier luxury resorts. Led the resort's commercial recovery strategy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, driving digital transformation and positioning the property for sustained post-pandemic growth.
Executive Achievements
Spearheaded the resort's commercial recovery strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading integrated sales and marketing initiatives that contributed to business recovery exceeding 100% of projected recovery targets.
Directed the resort's digital marketing strategy, developing integrated campaigns across social media, email marketing, website content, online advertising, and strategic partnerships that generated qualified leads, increased customer engagement, and supported revenue recovery.
Partnered with Revenue Management to optimize pricing, market segmentation, and demand generation strategies, contributing to improvements in occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and overall commercial performance.
Collaborated with the Executive Committee to develop crisis communications, business continuity strategies, and commercial recovery plans that strengthened brand positioning and protected long-term market share.
Expanded strategic partnerships with luxury travel advisors, wholesalers, tourism partners, and international consortia across North America, Europe, and Canada.
Directed international sales missions, trade shows, media partnerships, familiarization trips, and executive client engagement initiatives that strengthened key account relationships and supported long-term revenue growth.
Developed annual commercial strategies, managed marketing budgets, analyzed business performance, and presented executive recommendations to senior leadership.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
2018- 2022
Director of Sales & Marketing
LCH Developments Limited
Present
Provide executive leadership for the commercial strategy, sales performance, marketing, brand positioning, and business development of Jamaica's first internationally branded luxury residential development.
Executive Responsibilities
Lead the integrated Sales & Marketing function across domestic, regional, diaspora, and international markets.
Direct commercial planning, pricing strategy, digital marketing, public relations, advertising, lead generation, and luxury brand positioning.
Build strategic partnerships with luxury brokerages, financial institutions, family offices, UHNW networks, travel advisors, and global media partners.
Oversee CRM strategy, commercial reporting, forecasting, pipeline management, and business analytics.
Collaborate with Executive Leadership, Finance, Legal, Construction, Operations, and international brand partners to align commercial priorities.
Lead international roadshows, broker engagement programmes, client events, and strategic marketing investments.
Develop and coach a high-performing Sales & Marketing team while establishing performance objectives aligned with organizational revenue goals.