When one of the world’s leading groups joins forces with a major regional player to strengthen its presence in a key market: Hilton and Scandic, the leader of Scandinavian hospitality with more than 250 hotels in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, have just signed a multi-year development agreement covering all these countries. While this association leverages the strength of the brands—the commercial strength of Hilton combined with the operational expertise of Scandic in Northern Europe—it is not entirely new, as the relationship between the two partners dates back more than twenty years.
Scandic is indeed operating three Hilton hotels in the Finnish capital at no charge, including the Hilton Helsinki Airport, which will soon undergo a multi-phase renovation program. The high-end travelers will indeed be the first to benefit from this agreement, since its first implementation will take place near Copenhagen Airport, in the Scanport business district.
A Hilton at Copenhagen Airport
Launched in the early 2010s with the establishment of the Astellas Pharma and Ferring companies in this former industrial zone adjacent to the Danish hub, this Skanska real estate project continued to grow with the addition of new companies over time, as well as a place for professional meetings – the Huone Event & Conference Center – and, already, a hotel, the Scandic CPH Strandpark. In 2029, a Hilton hotel operated by Scandic will be added. With 284 rooms, it will also feature meeting and event spaces, a bar and restaurant, as well as an executive lounge with views of the Øresund strait.
However, these closer ties between the two groups do not mean the Swedish hotelier’s offering being absorbed by the American giant.« This is not a general conversion of the Scandic portfolio. »This alliance is based solely on individual development projects," the press release explains. In fact, it is almost exclusively so, since Hilton and Scandic plan to soon link their loyalty programs with new benefits offered to members of Hilton Honors and Scandic Friends. This will strengthen the appeal of the Nordic countries for Hilton Honors customers while opening the world to Scandic Friends members.
