style="text-transform: uppercase;">Penampang: Chris MaskiloneSabah will have another 330 hotel rooms when a 19-storey hotel that will be managed and operated by an international hotel chain company, Best Western International, opens at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) Penampang by end of next year.

The partnership was inked in a ceremony on Thursday at Wisma Malakun here between developer of ITCC Penampang, Sabanilam Enterprise and Best Western International (BWI).

Representing Sabanilam Enterprise was Group General Manager, Caesar Mandela Malakun while Vice President (International Operations for Asia and MIddle East), Glenn de Souza signed on behalf of BWI.

Mandela had earlier said that ITCC Penampang was confident of having greater affiliation with the vast network under Best Western International (BWI) in operational support, sales, marketing, its guest loyalty program and tourism opportunities.

"We are therefore pleased to move forward with BWI, an instant global brand recognised in leisure and hospitality that will give rise to further business opportunities to tap into the strong tourism growth.

"This will promote Sabah and in particular Kota Kinabalu as a competitive destination for the MICE market.

"We would thus take this opportunity to work hand in hand with the State Government in complementing its ambition through the ongoing Sabah Convention Centre development to make Sabah the preferred destination in the region for Convention and Conferencing Activities," he said.

"We are confident that Best Western Plus here at the ITCC will serve to fulfill the State Government of Sabah's call, under the able leadership of Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, to increase room capacity in order to fulfill the urgent need of the tourism industry here in the State- especially under the four and five-star category," he said.

Mandela said Sabah's prospect in the tourism sector could not be doubted with arrivals approaching close the three million mark in 2013 reflecting Sabah as becoming a favored destination for international and national tourists.

The upscale 330-room hotel under Best Western Plus will feature full fibre networking connectivity, a fully-equipped gym, trendy restaurants, recreational pool, meeting rooms, a 170-table capacity grand ballroom and a 33,000 sq ft Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ITCC Penampang Kota Kinabalu is a private initiative project listed under under the Sabah Development Corridor - for the Southern part of Greater Kota Kinabalu.

Apart from the Best Western Plus, the 10.5 acres fully integrated fibre ready development consisted of a four-storey lifestyle mall, fully furnished residential suites and a 16-storey Grade A Office Tower.

Meanwhile, de Souza said BWI was glad to be a part of such an exciting project, as the ITCC Penampang would be a significant addition to the Kota Kinabalu's landscape and economy.

"Malaysia is one of Best Western International's key growth markets. We see strong potential across the country and with the onset of the Asean Economic Community in 2015, Kota Kinabalu is expected to become an increasingly significant regional centre for trade and tourism," he said.

By end of fiscal year 2013, BWI has increased its portfolio in Asia and the Middle East to about 209 hotels and resorts in 27 countries across the region.

BWI offers three-tier products - the midscale Best Western, upscale Best Western Plus and luxury Best Western Premier.

BWI would be operating a Best Western Plus hotel at the ITCC.

Also on hand were Sabanilam Enterprise Managing Director, Datin Seri Sylvia Wong, Sabanilam holding company, Malakun Holdings Sdn Bhd Chairman, Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun, former deputy chief minister, Tan Sri Herman Luping as well as the team of senior officers from Best Western International.