Beekman Group

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 largest 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 KwaZulu-Natal 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 Qunu Lodge at Qunu Falls near Ixopo.

Revolutionising the concept of Vacation Ownership -
Launched in 1993, The Holiday Club was established in South Africa and expanded into Australia, New Zealand and Botswana. 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.

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 R730 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 160 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.