Scandic Hotels expands in Finland

Scandic Hotels Oy will assume responsibility for the hotel and restaurant operations at the former Hotell Lapponia in Rovaniemi on July 1, 1998. Scandic Hotel Rovaniemi opens its doors on July 9, 1998. In line with the Scandic Hotels business mission Scandic Hotel Rovaniemi will serve both leisure and business travellers. The hotel facilities, completed in 1992, are the newest in Rovaniemi and has 167 rooms. The restaurants at the hotel serve both hotel guests and the general public in Rovaniemi. Conference guests are served by four conference facilities which have a total customer capacity of 120. Scandic Hotel Rovaniemi is located in the center of Rovaniemi adjacent to the business district. The distance from the railway station is 5 minutes and the airport can be reached in 15 minutes. "The takeover is a further step in Scandic's strategy to strengthen its market position in Finland", says Anders Lilius, Executive Vice President of Scandic Hotels AB. For further information, please contact: Scandic Hotels AB, Anders Lilius, Executive Vice President, @ +358 9 6164 3410 Scandic Hotels Oy, Timo Kovanen, COO, @ +358 9 6164 3413 or 500-403 015 Scandic is the largest hotel company in the Nordic region, with 123 hotels in 9 countries. Scandic's strategy is to be a dedicated hotel operator. The company's business mission is "to offer many people the highest value for money when staying in its hotels, during work and leisure." [REMOVED GRAPHICS] Scandic Hotels AB (publ) Box 6197 S-102 33 Stockholm Tel: +46 (0)8 610 50 00 Fax: +46 (0)8 610 52 80 www.scandic-hotels.com Org. no.: 556299-1009