Our History
What began on a small scale in 2000 has grown to an organization that employs approximately 190 persons. Strive for growth is a fundamental part of the Sapias philosophy. Sapias Holding and its companies aim to be seen by stakeholders as solid and reliable partners that stand for quality and a professional organization.
2002
The real growth came with the purchase of Buddy Dive Resort and Buddy Watersports on February 14th 2002. This 46 unit (dive) resort was and is a major player in the tourism industry on Bonaire. In October 2004 Buddy Dive Resort acquired Lions Dive Hotel Bonaire and because of this Buddy Dive Resort increased its room inventory to 78 units or 110 bedrooms/220 beds. Buddy Dive Resort also has three satellite dive shops, 5 dive boats, 90 rental cars and two restaurants on premises.
Also Palm Trading Bonaire N.V. was purchased by Sapias Holding B.V. (at that time still Solar Management) on February 22nd 2002 with the goal to import and sell dive related equipment, articles and gear to dive shops and book stores on Bonaire as well as on Curacao and Aruba. In November 2012 Palm Trading Curacao opened its doors in order to serve the Curacao market better and to expand throughout the entire Caribbean.
2000
Sapias Holding B.V. was established in 2008 and took over all tasks and business of Solar Management, which was established by Martien & Ingrid van der Valk on December 14th 2000 with the goaI to have a holding company managing and expanding their business interests on Bonaire.
2003 & 2004
Throughout 2003 and 2004 Sapias Holding started to operate in the Facility Management sector mainly serving its own companies in the fields of housekeeping services, maintenance- & engineering services as well as IT-related activities. Companies like Beltech, Desal Pro, Caribbean Parasail @ Watersports & Belmar Apartments were established.
Due to the fact that Sapias Holding B.V. was growing nationally and internationally, she was able to centralize and professionalize the different departments like reservations and marketing and sales, which resulted in an even better outcome for all.
2010
In July 2010 the one stop scuba shop Your Scuba Store opened its doors in the centre of town and serves the divers on Bonaire with all their retail needs.
2014
In 2014 Sapias Holding renewed the management contract with Belmar Oceanfront Apartments Bonaire, an intimate & personal resort which is also offering first class valet diving.
2017
On February 22, 2017 Buddy Dive Watersports opened a retail store in the center of Kralendijk. The store offers a great variety of watersports essentials and casual summer clothing. For example underwater cameras, snorkel and dive gear, beach apparel, rashguards, sunglasses, swimwear, T-shirts and hats are available in the store. Customers can also book their activities in the shop, such as dive courses and packages, windsurfing, kitesurfing, massage, cave exploration and many more. As the only dive shop on Bonaire, Buddy Dive offers a free of charge tank delivery service for tourists whom are staying at a private rental home. All tourists can enjoy the convenience of a resort without staying at one to get the most out of their holiday.
2022
As a result of successfully expanding our business to business network with our import and distribution departments The Still and Palm Trading Import & Logistics, we were able to open the companies Bonaire Hospitality Supplies and Falki Express Import and Logistics in 2022.
What began on a small scale in 2000 has grown to an organization that employs approximately 190 persons. Strive for growth is a fundamental part of the Sapias philosophy. Sapias Holding and its companies aim to be seen by stakeholders as solid and reliable partners that stand for quality and a professional organization.
2023
As of August 1, 2023, Bonaire Discount Grocery B.V. is the proud new owner of Bondigro Supermarket. Bondigro opened its doors 10 years ago with the goal to keep groceries on Bonaire affordable. Over the years, Bondigro Supermarket has become one of the most successful supermarkets on Bonaire. Bonaire Discount Grocery B.V. will continue the mission to keep the groceries on Bonaire affordable. The management of Bonaire Discount Groceries can draw on Sapias Holding’s extensive experience in the retail sector and is looking forward to continuing Bondigro Supermarket’s success.