ACCOR will add 10 new properties to its current crop of four in Malaysia by 2014, the majority of which will belong to its Ibis brand—which is making its debut in the country.

The Ibis properties slated to open include the 500-key Ibis Styles Fraser Business Park Kuala Lumpur (2012), 156-key Ibis Styles Cheras (2012), 179-key Ibis Styles Johor Bahru (2013), 165-key Ibis Styles Kota Kinabalu (2013), 108-key Ibis Styles Lahad Datu (2013) and 118-key Ibis Styles Ipoh (2013).

Other properties on the cards include the 513-key Pullman Kuala Lumpur (2012), 318-key Pullman Port Dickson (2014), 320-key Novotel Melaka (2013) and 187-key Novotel Klang (2013).

Accor’s existing portfolio in Malaysia includes Pullman Putrajaya, Pullman Kuching, Novotel Kuala Lumpur and Novotel Kota Kinabalu.

Malaysia tourism minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen, welcomed Accor’s expansion plans.

“Malaysia still needs more high-end hotel rooms to cope with the current influx of tourists into the country,” she said.

“While we have 87 five-star hotels and 135 four-star hotels, they are usually fully booked during peak travel seasons.”

Meanwhile, Accor has also launched its own Destination Malaysia website.

“This is to provide a platform for online visitors and customers to learn more about our network in Malaysia,” said Gerard Guillouet, vice president for Accor Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

“Accor will collaborate with Tourism Malaysia through content syndication and by linking partnership activities.”