With its economy clocking in double-digit percentage in annual growth, Indonesia has become another market in Asia businesses are eager to get into. Best Western International (BWI) has unveiled a major expansion strategy for the 238-million-strong country, with plans to more than quadruple its portfolio there, from four to 17 properties, in less than two years. By the end of next year, the group plans to have an inventory of 2,500 rooms in the archipelago, up from the current 535.
As of now, Best Western operates two hotels in Bali – Best Western Resort Kuta and Best Western Kuta Beach – as well as two properties in Java’s key metropolitan regions, namely Best Western Premier Solo (pictured) and Best Western Mangga Dua Hotel & Residence, Jakarta.
Five new properties by the hotel chain are due to open in country this year. The Indonesian capital will get a second Best Western hotel in Serpong with 140 rooms, while Bali will become home to two more Best Westerns with a total of 177 rooms.
In Semarang, the capital, largest city and main shipping port of Central Java province will see the launch of a 123-room Best Western, while Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan province on Borneo, will have a 139-room property.
Then in 2013, the group plans to open no less than eight more properties in Indonesia, including a second property in Semarang, two more in Jakarta and others in Bogor, a hub of automotive chemical and food industries; Samarinda, provincial capital of East Kalimantan; and the second largest Indoneisan city of Surabaya.
Reggie Ho
