The Hotel Industry in Bamble: Current Status and Future Outlook

The hotel industry in Bamble has shown both strengths and challenges in recent years. With 6 registered companies in the municipality, Langesund is the main center of activity. Economic data shows a significant decline in sales and income in 2020, but a strong increase from 2022 onward. The labor market has shown stable growth, with 198 employees in 2026. The most significant company is Quality Skjærgården Hotel Og Badepark As, which has 179 employees and an operating income of 94.3 million NOK. The industry has also shown variations in organizational forms, with AS as the main form. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality for this industry.

Economic data for the hotel industry in Bamble shows a complex development. Sales showed a strong decline of 66.3% from 2019 to 2020, but have since recovered with a growth of 225.4% from 2021 to 2022. In 2023, sales reached 13.1 million NOK, and in 2024, it reached 16.4 million NOK. The workforce has shown a more stable development, with growth from 122 to 198 employees from 2016 to 2026. The most significant company, Quality Skjærgården Hotel Og Badepark As, has been a stable contributor to both sales and employees. The table below shows detailed year-over-year changes for sales and employees:

In Bamble, there are 6 companies registered in the hotel industry. The main companies are:

Most companies are organized as AS, with Quality Skjærgården Hotel Og Badepark As being the most significant company. There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but some companies have negative EBITDA margins and high debt levels.

The hotel industry in Bamble is primarily concentrated in Langesund, which is the only area with activity in the municipality. In Langesund, there are 3 registered companies with a total of 231 employees and an operating income of 103.8 million NOK. Sales in the area were 7.1 million NOK in 2024, with a 12% decline compared to previous years. There are no other areas in the municipality with activity in the hotel industry. Langesund is therefore the most important geographical center for the industry in Bamble.

The hotel industry in Bamble has shown both stability and challenges. There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but some companies have negative EBITDA margins and high debt levels. For example, Langesund Bad Holding As has a debt of 32.8 million NOK, and Aduana As has no sales or income. This shows that the industry has both successful and challenged companies. It is important to note that some companies have high operating income, such as Quality Skjærgården Hotel Og Badepark As, which has an operating income of 94.3 million NOK. This shows that the industry has potential for growth and development.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a business in the hotel industry in Bamble, the data shows there are both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown strong growth after 2020, with an increase in sales and employees. Langesund is the most important geographical center for the industry, and it is possible to find suitable locations there. It is also important to be aware of the financial challenges shown in the data, such as negative EBITDA margins and high debt levels in some companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality for this industry and provide advice on how to avoid the same financial challenges.

When comparing the hotel industry to the broader accommodation category, the data shows that accommodation has more companies (13) than hotels (6). Sales in accommodation have been somewhat higher, with 7.2 million NOK in 2025 compared to 7.0 million NOK for hotels. The workforce in accommodation has also been somewhat higher, with 202 employees in 2026 compared to 198 employees for hotels. The most important companies in accommodation that are not in the hotel industry are camping and short-term cabin companies, such as Brevigstrand Camping As and Hafsund Feriehytter. These companies have a combination of zero sales and high income, which shows that the accommodation industry has a more diversified structure than the hotel industry.

The hotel industry in Bamble has shown both strengths and challenges in recent years. With stable growth in employees and a strong recovery after 2020, it is possible to see potential for further development. Langesund is the most important geographical center for the industry, and it is possible to find suitable locations there. It is also important to be aware of the financial challenges shown in the data, such as negative EBITDA margins and high debt levels in some companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality for this industry and provide advice on how to avoid the same financial challenges.