The Hotel Industry in Grimstad: Current Status and Future-Proofing

The hotel industry in Grimstad shows a mix of stability and growth. With four registered companies in the municipality, including both established businesses and new players, the sector is undergoing a phase of renewal. The most significant companies are Strand Hotel Fevik and Grimstad Vertshus, which together account for over 70% of total sales in the sector. Economic data shows a sales increase of over 30% from 2020 to 2021, with an average EBITDA margin of 14% for the entire industry. At the same time, employee numbers show a more volatile development, increasing from 108 in 2020 to 156 in 2026. This indicates that the industry has both potential and challenges related to personnel management and operational economics.

Economic data for the hotel industry in Grimstad shows sales growth from NOK 39.9 million in 2020 to NOK 70.3 million in 2025, with an average annual growth of 12.5%. This is a significant improvement compared to the 19.9% decline in 2020. Employee numbers show a more volatile trend, with a decrease of 6.1% from 2019 to 2020, but an increase of 23.8% from 2025 to 2026. EBITDA margins range from 6-22%, with Grimstad Vertshus as a prominent example of a company with a 22% EBITDA margin. This shows that there are opportunities for efficient operations in the industry, even though there are variations between individual companies.

Four companies are registered in the hotel industry in Grimstad, with the following details:

The organizational form AS is dominant, with four companies in total. Two of the companies (Home Hotel and Comfort Hotel) have no reported sales or employees, which may indicate that they are new or in the start-up phase. Strand Hotel Fevik and Grimstad Vertshus are the most established businesses, with high sales and EBITDA figures.

Hotel activity in Grimstad is divided into two main areas:

1. Fevik: A business with 108 employees, sales of NOK 59.6 million, and EBITDA of NOK 3.7 million. Operating income per employee is NOK 795,700, and the EBITDA margin is 6%.

1. Grimstad: Three businesses with a total of 104 employees, sales of NOK 12.7 million, and EBITDA of NOK 2.9 million. Here, operating income per employee is higher (NOK 548,200), and the EBITDA margin is 22%, which shows better efficiency in Grimstad compared to Fevik.

This shows that Grimstad has potential for better operational economics, even though Fevik has a larger scale.

The industry has been stable with no bankrupt companies reported during the period. Two new companies (Home Hotel and Comfort Hotel) were established in 2023 and 2024, which shows a certain level of dynamism. At the same time, Grimstad Vertshus has shown strong sales growth of 19% from 2020 to 2021, which indicates that there are opportunities for growth in some businesses. However, there are variations in performance between individual companies, with Strand Hotel Fevik as the most established company in the municipality.

For entrepreneurs in the hotel industry in Grimstad, there are clear opportunities related to sales growth and the relatively high EBITDA margins (6-22%). Particularly in Grimstad, where the EBITDA margin of 22% shows potential for efficient operations, it may be possible to establish new businesses. However, it is important to be aware of the variation in performance between individual companies, as well as the need to address operational economic challenges. With a 23.8% increase in employee numbers from 2025 to 2026, it may also be possible to find staff, even though there are variations in employee numbers between companies.

When comparing the hotel industry with the broader accommodation sector in Grimstad, data shows that accommodation has 14 companies, compared to four in the hotel industry. Sales in accommodation have grown by 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, while the hotel industry has grown by 2.2%. EBITDA margins in accommodation are slightly lower (average 10%) compared to the hotel industry (14%). This shows that the hotel industry has better operational economics, but that the accommodation sector has a larger scale. Examples of accommodation companies that are not hotels include camping and short-term cabin companies, which have lower EBITDA (NOK 326,000 to NOK 4.7 million) compared to hotels.

The hotel industry in Grimstad shows both opportunities and challenges. With sales growth and relatively high EBITDA margins, it is possible to establish new businesses, especially in Grimstad where the operational economics look better. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the variation in performance between individual companies and the need to address operational economic challenges. With broad growth in employee numbers and a stable industry, it may be possible to find staff and develop businesses in the future.