InterContinental has announced its Malaysian debut. According to an InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) release, the current Nikko Hotel in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Ampang district will be the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, come February 01, 2011.

Thomas Lee, director of the hotel’s owning company MTJ Development Sdn Bhd, said the company was excited to be partnering with IHG. The hotel is slated to embark on a 30-month ongoing refurbishment, which will take place in three phases.

According to Jan Smits Jan Smits, managing director of IHG Asia Australasia, Malaysia is a hotel market that has potential for long-term growth, especially in view of the country’s target of reaching 36-million tourist arrivals by 2020. IHG currently operates its Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands in the country.