Under the multi-year agreement, Scandic and Hilton will work together to pursue development opportunities across the four markets, combining Hilton’s globally recognised brands and commercial reach with Scandic’s extensive regional platform, operational expertise and established presence throughout the Nordics. The agreement focuses on individual development opportunities for Hilton and Scandic across the Nordics and is not a broad conversion of Scandic’s portfolio.
The companies will also announce new member benefits for members of the Hilton Honors and Scandic Friends loyalty programs at a later date, with the shared ambition to further open the Nordics to Hilton Honors members and the world to Scandic Friends.
The agreement is already taking shape in Copenhagen, where Scandic has signed a new Hilton Hotels & Resorts property at Scanport, adjacent to Copenhagen Airport. The 284-room hotel will be operated by Scandic under a franchise agreement with Hilton and is expected to open in 2029. The construction will start as soon as the remaining pending conditions have been met.
Located near Scandinavia's largest aviation hub, the full-service property will feature a restaurant and bar, meeting and event facilities, wellness amenities, a fitness area and an executive lounge overlooking the Öresund Strait.
The relationship between Hilton and Scandic spans more than two decades, with three Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties currently operating in Helsinki: Hilton Helsinki Airport, Hilton Helsinki Strand and Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa. Plans are underway to renovate Hilton Helsinki Airport through a multi-phase refurbishment programme that will modernise key guest-facing areas and further enhance the overall hotel experience.
“This agreement is well aligned with Scandic's long-term growth strategy. Having successfully franchised and operated Hilton hotels in Helsinki for many years, we have demonstrated the strength of combining a global brand with Scandic's leading operational platform. Together with Hilton, we see attractive opportunities to grow and expand our business across the Nordics", says Jens Mathiesen, president & CEO, Scandic Hotels Group.
“This strategic agreement represents a significant milestone for Hilton in the Nordics, creating a clear pathway to expand our leading brands across four important markets. It reflects our long-term ambition for the region and, together with Scandic, opens the door to significant new opportunities for Hilton, our owners and our guests”, says Chris Nassetta, president & CEO, Hilton.
The agreement comes amid continued momentum for travel across the Nordic region, where inbound tourism has seen a strong and sustained recovery in recent years. International demand has continued to grow, supported by increasing interest in nature-based experiences, outdoor travel and cooler-climate destinations. In 2025, Sweden recorded more than 70 million guest nights1, Denmark around 68 million2, Norway more than 40 million3, and Finland over 23 million4, with international demand – including from the United States and major European source markets – contributing strongly to growth.
Tags: Jens Mathiesen, Scandic Hotels Group Chris Nassetta Hilton
