Industry · municipality
The Hotel Industry in Drammen
An analytical overview of companies, statistics, and outlooks
Executive Summary
The hotel industry in Drammen is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 6 companies and 228 employees in 2025. The industry has shown both strong growth and challenges over time, with a significant sales decline in 2020 and a gradual recovery since. The broader accommodation industry (which includes camping and cabins) has more companies, which could provide a basis for diversification. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Drammen for this sector.
Economic Overview
Sales Development
- 2016–2017: Sales increased by 26,845% from NOK 221.7K to NOK 59.7M.
- 2019–2020: Sharp decline of 54.1% to NOK 34.8M.
- 2021–2025: Stable growth with +1.5% in 2025.
Employee Development
- 2016–2026: Employees increased from 153 to 254, with a +65.3% total.
- 2020–2021: Largest increase of +103.1% after the coronavirus pandemic.
- 2024–2025: Slight decline of -3.0%.
Economic Indicators
- EBITDA margin: 9% in 2025 (average for the industry).
- Operating margin: 3% in 2025.
- Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 86.5K in 2025.
Companies in the Sector
| Name | Address | Employees | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotelldrift Q River Station As | Doktor Hansteins gate 7 | 107 | NOK 14.1M |
| Scandic Ambassadeur | Strømsø torg 7 | 68 | NOK 0 |
| Drammen Hotelldrift As | Jacob Borchs gate 13 | 64 | NOK 0 |
| Hotel Union Drammen As | Grønland 64 | 45 | NOK 1.8M |
| Fjordbyen Innkvartering As | Ilebergveien 3 | 4 | NOK -2.3M |
| Brage Holding As | Eventyrsvingen 2 | 0 | NOK -168K |
Organisational Forms
- AS: 5 companies (100% of the industry).
- Number of employees in AS companies: 288.
- Average operating income per employee: NOK 943K in 2025.
Business Geography
Activity Distribution
- Drammen: The only city with hotel activity in the municipality.
- Number of companies: 5.
- Employees: 288.
- Sales: NOK 6.3M.
- Operating income: NOK 148.1M.
- EBITDA: NOK 13.6M.
- Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 86.5K.
- Average operating margin: 3%.
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Financial Challenges
- No bankruptcies in the hotel industry in Drammen (2016–2025).
- Fjordbyen Innkvartering As: Negative EBITDA of NOK -2.3M in 2025, but sales increased by 100% in 2025.
- Brage Holding As: Negative EBITDA of NOK -168K in 2025, but operating income of NOK 158K.
- Scandic Ambassadeur: No sales or EBITDA in 2025, but no bankruptcies.
General Observations
- Stability: No bankruptcies in the industry, but some companies have negative financial indicators.
- Different models: Companies like Fjordbyen Innkvartering As show that it is possible to have strong sales growth even with negative EBITDA.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
- Resilience: The hotel industry has shown gradual recovery after 2020, with +1.5% in sales in 2025.
- Competitiveness: Drammen has 6 companies in the sector, which can provide opportunities for differentiation.
- Financial Challenges: Some companies have negative EBITDA, but no bankruptcies.
- Market Needs: Higher sales in 2021 and 2022 (NOK 70.7M and NOK 86.7M) indicate potential market needs.
- SmartGrunder: Can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Drammen for this sector, with a focus on development perspectives.
Outlook for Accommodation
Comparison with the Accommodation Industry
- Number of companies: 23 in accommodation (vs. 6 in hotels).
- Sales: Similar development, but accommodation had NOK 342.1K in 2016 (vs. NOK 221.7K in hotels).
- Employees: Same development in accommodation and hotels (from 153 in 2016 to 254 in 2026).
- Peer companies in accommodation: Include camping and cabins, with NOK 0 in sales and EBITDA.
Conclusion
- Hotel industry in Drammen is smaller than accommodation, but has similar sales development.
- Diversification: Accommodation includes camping and cabins, which can provide opportunities for entrepreneurs.
- Stability: No bankruptcies in hotels, but accommodation has more companies with NOK 0 in financial indicators.
- SmartGrunder: Can help find addresses in Drammen for both hotel and accommodation sectors.
Other companies in overnatting (not in hotel)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drammen Camping As | camping | Buskerudveien 97, 3027 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Enok Nilsen Hytter & Resort | short stay cabins | c/o David Enok Nilsen|Trollfaret 18, 3055 Krokstadelva | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Eta Eiendom As | camping | Hestemyrveien 24A, 3050 Mjøndalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Glenn Lundberg Johansen | short stay cabins | Engene 92A, 3012 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Jegertunet Holding As | short stay cabins | Andorsrudveien 25, 3039 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kjølabu Turisthytte Jørn Erik Langedal | short stay cabins | Landfalltjernveien 7, 3021 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kristine Vik 633 Utleie | short stay cabins | Professor Smiths alle 20B, 3048 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kristine Vik 633 Utleie | camping | Professor Smiths alle 20B, 3048 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kveldro Overnatting As | camping | Rådyrsvingen 18, 3032 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Mårbu Turisthytte As | short stay cabins | C/O Aina Østlund Prestholdt|Stubberudveien 140, 3031 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Mårbu Turisthytte As | camping | C/O Aina Østlund Prestholdt|Stubberudveien 140, 3031 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Nordisk Hjem As | short stay cabins | Fjellsbyveien 28, 3041 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Notodden Urban Hotel As | camping | Strandveien 39, 3050 Mjøndalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Rönnskär Hytteutleie | short stay cabins | Ambolten 6, 3031 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Socle As | short stay cabins | Amtmand Breders gate 29, 3045 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Svarterud As | short stay cabins | Andorsrudveien 22, 3039 Drammen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Villa Rørvik Ans | other accommodation | Svelvikveien 1567, 3060 | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The hotel industry in Drammen has shown both strong growth and challenges over time. With 6 companies and 228 employees in 2025, the industry is relatively stable, even though some companies have negative EBITDA. The broader accommodation industry (which includes camping and cabins) has more companies, which could provide opportunities for diversification. Entrepreneurs should consider market needs, financial indicators, and potential competitors before starting a company in Drammen. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in the municipality for this sector.