Scandic's intensive growth strategy continues as focus turns on Norway. The chain has signed a contract to build a new 220 room hotel in Norwegian seaport city Bodø.

Construction will commence in early autumn 2008 and be completed in 2010. This is the second time in a short period that Scandic has announced a building project in Norway.

Just two weeks ago Scandic announced plans for a new hotel in Stavanger to open in autumn 2009. Today, plans have been announced for another new hotel in Norway, in the northern port of Bodø. The contract has been agreed between Scandic and Bodø Havn KF with partners.

"The new hotel will become a landmark for Bodø, with an architecture the city can be proud of that will adorn the harbour entrance," says Bodø Havn KF's Company Chairman Britt Solvik. "We put great value on this being an environmental project, with the aim of making the hotel Bodø's first climate-neutral building," she ends.

The Scandic Bodø hotel will be perfectly located in the central port area, and will boast 220 rooms covering 11,000 square metres, a restaurant and bar, and conference facilities for up to 800 guests.

"The sea view, the quayside walks and all the greenery makes this a very attractive location for a new hotel," says Frank Fiskers, President and CEO of Scandic. "Bodø is also a town with a lot of energy and great ambitions so it feels strategically correct to be able to offer centrally located conference facilities of a really high standard. We are delighted to at last have a hotel in Bodø, something that further fortifies our position in Norway," he continues.

With nearly 50,000 inhabitants, Bodø is northern Norway's second largest city. As port of call for Hurtigruten and the end station on the Trondheim – Bodø northern rail line the city is a transport hub. The harbour that will be home to the new Scandic Bodø is also gateway to the world-renowned Lofoten group of islands.