Q&A Interviews

Q & A with Neville Beekman

Beekman Brothers Group

CEO

When was the Beekman Group first founded?

[NB] Beekman Brothers was started in 1971, when brothers Bram and John opened a painting and decorating business, this then graduated to property ownership and management, progressing to the development of resort property. The establishment of commercial and residential divisions followed thereafter.
 

How has the organisation grown since then – are you still a family business?

[NB] Beekman Group is still definitely a family business, now in its second generation, this business has grown phenomenally since the early days. Today Beekman Group have over 50 property, resort and management companies. Its flagship company, The Holiday Club is Africa’s top performing vacation ownership company boasting over 100 000 member families, a figure that is growing monthly.
 

Besides vacation ownership resorts, what other property portfolios are Beekman Group involved in?

[NB] Well, besides our resorts and impressive commercial portfolio we have recently launched our Beekman Managed Portfolio (BMP) which encompasses all our New Development Lifestyle properties with various investment opportunities such as Fractional Ownership, Full Ownership and a professionally managed Rental Pool.
 

What does BMP mean to me as an Investor?

[NB] The BMP product has been designed to offer Investors the opportunity to create wealth and income from Lifestyle Investments in property. Where for example if you had been in a position to own a stand alone second home (holiday home) you would need to pay all the maintenance and upkeep whereas for a lessor or similar investment in BMP you would get the benefit of a well run Rental Pool, Income and all the Lifestyle benefits that form part of the BMP package without the hassle of looking after your own house. As a BMP owner you will also be offered all the new properties at the launch price before those properties are offered to the market.

Every Investor, whether he purchases Fractional or Full Ownership, automatically becomes a member of this elite club, qualifying him for a number of growing lifestyle privileges - at present these include the freedom to choose from a variety of both national and international accommodation, generous discounts on Cruises, Car Rentals, Hotel Accommodation (worldwide) and Body Bliss Day Spa Treatments.

Tell us about your New Developments, and where are these situated?

[NB] Selling off plan at the moment we have, San Martinho Beach Club situated 180kms North of Maputo on the Bilene Lagoon, in Mozambique (Bilene has its own light aircraft airport). This resort consists of five different villages, with a Marina and all the usual Lifestyle facilities (ie. Restaurants, Entertainment Centre, Kids Play Park, Mini Golf, Swimming Pools, Body Bliss Spa, PADI Dive Centre, Anglers Boutique & Charter Company). www.smbc.co.za.

In the Pilanesberg, North West Province, South Africa, we have The Kingdom Resort (on the N4 highway, 2.4kms from Sun City). This resort will appeal to families who are looking for a weekend getaway close enough to Johannesburg and Pretoria, The Kingdom has been modelled around four Ethnic Villages with the buildings and interiors echoing the natural landscape. The Resort will offer a host of facilities for both young and old alike. The lazy river being a focal attraction for the resort with a water park addition once Phase Two comes on line. There will also be floodlit Tennis Courts, Body Bliss Day Spa, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool and Wet Park for the little ones, Horse Riding, Games Room, Jungle Land, Trampolines, Licensed Coffee Shop/Restaurant, Pool Bar, Shop and DVD Hire, Cycling, Sun City transfers and much more. The Pilanesberg Airport is within close proximity making it and easy “fly, drive” destination. With many interesting places within easy reach (ie. The Sun City Casino Complex, The Cradle of Humankind, Predator Park, The Elephant Sanctuary, Pilanesberg Game Reserve). www.thekingdomresort.co.za

There are two new Lifestyle Developments coming on line in the first and second quarter of 2010. These are Tiger Lodge at Jozini (Northern Natal on the Jozini {Pongoland} Dam). There is much excitement surrounding this development as it is one of the very few areas in South Africa where Tiger Fish are prolific. This resort will consist of a Hotel Complex (with Restaurants, Boutique Shops, a Body Bliss Day Spa and recreational facilities), free standing houses and apartment blocks with the very exciting “dual occupation” concept. The second Resort for 2010 is the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere, Limpopo (3 hour drive North of Johannesburg) which will appeal to all bush lovers and will encompass a variety of investment opportunities for the discerning property owner. Entabeni Safari Conservancy will sympathetically blend into this eco-biosphere plateau. This development will appeal to conservationists and nature lovers worldwide. For more info go to www.legendlodges.co.za/entabeni.htm

Tell us more about your Rental Pool.

The Beekman Managed Portfolio Rental Pool is a professionally run, in-house operation that is linked to all our resorts and new developments, thereby generating hassle free income for the investor. On buying either Fractional or Full Ownership, the investor may join the Rental Pool. The advantage of this innovative system is that the Owner determines which weeks he uses and what portion of his entitlement is put into the Rental Pool. In this way the Investor can decide which time is most beneficial to take out of the Rental Pool, allowing our professionals to deal with the administration – leaving our investors free to both enjoy the use of their investment but also allowing their investment to work for them.


 

What changes to you foresee in Southern African the vacation ownership market in 2011?

We hope to see an increase in sales due to a more positive economic outlook –  as well as some new stock coming on stream that we have been working on for the past year.

Do you view fractional as the evolution of timeshare – or a high end timeshare product?

Very good question! There is no doubt that timeshare revolutionised the vacation market and although it still has a very important part to play, I see Fractional Ownership as the vehicle which new age investors are using to enter, increase and manage their property portfolios in this very lucrative market. It is an excellent way for the first time buyer to kick start his future lifetime investments and for the seasoned investor to easily add to and increase his portfolio.
 

What would you say is the single most important offering for success with any vacation ownership product?

The best products would have to offer the best lifestyle benefits and return on investment. With investors looking at increasing their property portfolios and thereby accumulating wealth, I would say that they should always look carefully at what the Developers offer - eg. I have now invested my nest egg in this property, can the Developer assist me in managing and making this investment work for me? - the answer to this question should always be a resounding YES!!
 

What major changes do you for see for the shared vacation ownership industry over the next 12 months?

Well, it is very evident that the market is already on the upturn, together with this and the positive growth South Africa is going to experience with the World Cup Soccer in 2010, the fiscal burden will lift sufficiently for investors to start looking at where to invest their surplus funds and there is no doubt that property has always been one of the best performers over the medium to long term - and that you will never change. With the envisaged overseas influx of investors this is, without a doubt, going to push property prices up and this event is ideal to showcase the South African market to Investors worldwide.