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A Success Story

From humble beginnings

Bram and John Beekman opened a paint contracting business called Beekman Group Painters in 1970. This expanded rapidly to become one the larger contracting companies in Johannesburg with a staff compliment of approximately 80 people. The company was sold in 1980.

Becoming a major developer in the vacation ownership industry

Bram and John moved to Durban in 1980 where they diversified and entered the vacation ownership industry. Their first development situated at Banana Beach on the KZN South Coast was affiliated to RCI (UK) and paved the way for them to enter the local leisure industry. It also set the scene for the official launch of the Beekman Group in 1981, a respected developer and marketing pioneer of the vacation ownership industry. This was followed by the development of a further six conventional vacation ownership resorts under the Suntide brand, ending with Suntide Lodge at Qunu Falls.

By revolutionising the concept of vacation ownership

Launched in 1993, The Holiday Club was established in South Africa and expanded into Botswana and Zimbabwe. The company introduced a flexible Points System, which meant that members were no longer restricted to one destination for their family holidays but have a tremendous variety of choices in Southern Africa and overseas. Membership is around 90 000 and is growing by some 18 000 a year.

Expanding an already strong property portfolio

The Club, the largest in South Africa has acquired investments in resorts throughout Southern Africa and has developed its own quality resorts in the most popular holiday areas of the region. Currently valued at around R660 million, these investments are administered by the Beekman Group and are held by The Leisure Property Trust. In addition, the Trust also owns stock in many resorts giving Club Members access to about 190 resorts in Southern Africa. The Holiday Club accounts for 40% of the total leisure industry’s sales within South Africa. The Holiday Club has expanded into both Australia and New Zealand and is actively investigating other potential markets.

Diversifying the property portfolio

Having gained invaluable experience in developing properties targeted at the leisure market, it was only natural that the Beekman Group would expand into property developments within the commercial and residential sectors. Several completed commercial properties enjoy having blue chip clients as tenants, whilst a large number of South Africans own upmarket holiday apartments at our developments. There are exciting new property development projects currently being undertaken.

Achievements

The Beekman Group has acquired numerous awards in recognition for its contribution to the South African leisure industry:

RCI Developer of the Year: 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008
RCI Enrolment Awards: 1998 – 2010
Directors: John Beekman; Bram Beekman; Steve McCarroll are listed in the RCI’s Hall of Fame