A casual conversation between a father and daughter about a newly built house has blossomed into an award-winning tourism business in Western Australia's Great Southern region.
Sophie Pietersen's Great Southern Holiday Properties has been named the winner of the excellence in tourism award at the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Great Southern Business Awards. The accolade comes just over two years after the business was officially established.
From a Father's Dream Home to a Thriving Business
The genesis of the company was a discussion about what to do with her builder father's freshly refurbished investment property on Mt Clarence. He had constructed his dream home but was unsure of its future.
"I basically said to him, 'Would you be open to me running it as a short-stay?'" Ms Pietersen recalled. Initially concerned about property care like most owners, her father agreed. That first property, now named The Lookout, welcomed its inaugural guests in March 2023.
"From day one, I needed to make sure that not only were we providing a good service to our guests, we were making sure that our property owners were looked after as well," she said.
Organic Growth and a 'Quality Over Quantity' Ethos
The business expanded naturally by word of mouth after an associate asked Ms Pietersen to list their own home. She never had to engage in formal promotion.
While most of her 11-strong holiday property portfolio is in the Middleton Beach area, she has added boutique stays in Manypeaks, Betty's Beach and Goode Beach. The company promotes a firm philosophy of quality over quantity, focusing exclusively on high-end homes.
"Because they are nicer homes, people are generally coming for a special occasion so we are really hands-on," Ms Pietersen explained. The business personalises stays by reaching out to guests beforehand, sending detailed guides a month in advance, and curating local experience suggestions.
"Our slogan is 'not your average stay', so they know it's not just a place for them to stay, but an opportunity for us to give them a great experience in the Great Southern."
Award Serves as a Powerful 'Tick of Approval'
For Ms Pietersen, who previously worked as a hairdresser, day spa manager, and in insurance, the ACCI award holds special significance. It represents endorsement from the broader business and tourism community.
"It's really rewarding when you get beautiful feedback from people that have stayed or the property owners that are really happy," she said.
"But having the acknowledgement from a tourism perspective, and someone more so looking in on the business, rather than experiencing the business, it kind of felt like another tick of approval, but from a different perspective."
The success of Great Southern Holiday Properties underscores how identifying a niche for luxury, experience-driven accommodation can rapidly transform a personal project into a regionally celebrated enterprise.
