The Hotel Industry in Bærum: Activity, Development, and Opportunities

The hotel industry in Bærum has shown both challenges and resilience over the past few years. With 16 registered companies (21 in total in the municipality) and a mix of stable and dynamic websites, the industry is an important part of the municipality's economy. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in 2020, followed by a gradual recovery since 2022. Fornebu stands out as a key core area with high activity, while Stabekk shows potential development opportunities. The industry has also been marked by a single bankruptcy, highlighting the need for strategic planning in a competitive market situation.

The hotel industry in Bærum has experienced significant variations in revenue and number of employees over time. According to data from 2016 to 2025, revenue increased from NOK 273 million in 2016 to a peak of NOK 364 million in 2018, followed by a sharp decline of 50.6% in 2020. There has been a gradual recovery since, with an increase of 20.5% from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has followed a similar trend, with a drastic decline of 39.7% in 2021, but an increase of 101% from 2021 to 2022. This dynamic illustrates the industry's sensitivity to external factors, but also its ability to recover from crises.

In Bærum, there are 16 registered companies in the hotel industry, with a total of 21 companies in the municipality. The most well-known companies include:

• Scandic Fornebu (Fornebu, 118 employees)
• Thon Hotel Oslofjord (Sandvika, 97 employees)
• Quality Hotel Expo As (Fornebu, 84 employees)
• Radisson Blu Park Hotel (Lysaker, 61 employees)

Most companies are organized as AS (limited liability company), which is common for large businesses in Norway. There are also several companies registered with 0 employees, which may indicate property management or underdevelopment of websites.

The hotel industry in Bærum is most concentrated in the following areas:

1. Fornebu: 2 companies, 202 employees, NOK 227 million in revenue
2. Sandvika: 1 company, 97 employees, NOK 77.6 million in revenue
3. Lysaker: 1 company, 61 employees, NOK 88.5 million in revenue
4. Stabekk: 2 companies, 17 employees, but no activity reported

Fornebu stands out as the central hub, with high revenue and number of employees. Stabekk has potential but currently lacks activity in the industry.

The industry has been marked by a single bankruptcy: Eidsbugarden Drift As in Lysaker, which was declared bankrupt in 2025. This company had 0 employees and no activity. Although this is a single case, it shows that the industry can be sensitive to external pressures, such as economic crises or competitive pressure. However, there is no further reported bankruptcy activity, indicating that most companies have been stable over time.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the hotel industry in Bærum, data shows a gradual increase in revenue and number of employees after 2020. Fornebu appears as a strategic location with high activity, while Stabekk could be a potential market area. However, it is important to be aware of competitive pressure and the need for economic stability, as illustrated by the single bankruptcy case. Good positioning and differentiation can be crucial for success in this competitive industry.

When comparing the hotel industry to the broader accommodation group in Bærum, data shows that accommodation has a larger business base (45 companies) than the hotel industry (21 companies). Revenue for accommodation has been somewhat higher, with an increase from NOK 315 million in 2016 to NOK 389.6 million in 2025. The broader area also includes companies in camping, cabins, and other accommodation, which can represent both competitive and complementary websites for hotel operations. Examples of accommodation companies that are not hotels include Ludens As (short-term cabins) and Hotell.no As (other accommodation).

The hotel industry in Bærum shows a combination of stability and dynamism. With a gradual increase after 2020 and an important role for Fornebu, it is possible to see potential for further development. At the same time, the bankruptcy in Lysaker highlights the need for strategic planning and economic resilience. For entrepreneurs, it may be advantageous to focus on areas with high activity while also being aware of competitive pressure from both hotels and other accommodation companies. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and develop strategies tailored to local conditions.