Best Western has confirmed it will substantially increase its portfolio of hotels in Malaysia.

Best Western already operates three hotels in Malaysia – Best Western Kinabalu Daya, Best Western Sandakan Hotel & Residence and Best Western Marina Island Resort Pangkor – but starting this year the company will embark on a major nationwide growth strategy.

In 2012 the company will add two more hotels to its Malaysian collection, with the landmark Best Western Premier Dua Sentral in Kuala Lumpur Sentral and Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel, Melaka.

A further six properties will then join between 2013 and 2015, taking the group’s total portfolio in Malaysia to 11 hotels, but developments in the pipeline could realise 15 properties by 2015.

“Malaysia welcomed 24.7 million visitors in 2011 and is targeting a remarkable 36 million annual arrivals by 2020.

“With excellent air connections, especially via low-cost carriers, a strong economy and a diverse range of visitor attractions - from idyllic beaches to high-tech cities – the future of Malaysian tourism looks incredibly bright,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s vice president international operations – Asia & the Middle East.

“We hope to be able to help cater for a new wave of business and leisure tourists attracted to this blossoming destination.”