The Hotel Industry in Haugesund: Current Status and Outlook

The hotel industry in Haugesund is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 14 registered companies and over 170 employees. The industry has shown both strength and instability over time, with a significant decline in sales and employees during the pandemic (2020–2021), but a gradual recovery since. The most well-known companies include Quality Hotel Maritim, Scandic Haugesund, and Thon Saga Hotel, which together account for a large portion of the industry's economic impact. Røvær is a smaller but growing activity in the municipality with Havhotell Røvær. The industry has also seen new companies enter, such as Cic Operations, but also challenges with negative EBITDA values among some actors.

Over time, the hotel industry in Haugesund has shown variations in sales and employees. Sales reached a peak of NOK 258.3 million in 2023, but fell to NOK 174.4 million in 2025 (a decline of 7.9%). The number of employees followed a similar trend, with a peak of 334 employees in 2024, but a sharp decline to 178 employees in 2026. The most dramatic change occurred in 2020–2021, when the pandemic led to a decline of 44.5% in sales and 23.5% in the number of employees. Since then, the industry has grown gradually, but with unstable years, such as 2024–2025, where sales and employees fell by 26.7% and 42.2%, respectively.

In Haugesund, the most well-known companies in the hotel industry are organized as AS, with 6 companies and 184 employees. The key companies include:

• Quality Hotel Maritim (74 employees, NOK 81.6 million in sales)
• Scandic Haugesund (33 employees, NOK 86.8 million in sales)
• Hotelldrift Haugesund AS (35 employees, NOK 16.8 million in sales)
• Røvær Havhotell AS (11 employees, NOK 8.0 million in sales)

There are also new companies, such as Cic Operations Haugesund AS (NOK 10.8 million in sales, 110% growth in 2024), and companies in bankruptcy, such as Alliance Invest Prosjekt AS. Most companies have positive EBITDA, but some, such as Røvær Havhotell, have negative values.

Hotel activity in Haugesund is most concentrated in Haugesund and Røvær:

• Haugesund: 5 companies, 173 employees, NOK 208.5 million in sales
• Røvær: 1 company, 11 employees, NOK 8.0 million in sales

Haugesund has a much larger economic impact, with higher sales and employees. Røvær, however, has shown strong growth of 11% in sales in 2025, although EBITDA is negative. There are also companies outside these areas, such as Skeisvang Gjestgiveri AS and Møllerfabrikken Drift AS, which had no activity in 2025.

The industry has shown both dynamism and instability. In 2025, 14 companies were registered, but 2 of them had 0 employees and 0 sales, indicating that some companies are not active. There are also companies in bankruptcy, such as Alliance Invest Prosjekt AS, but most companies are still in operation. EBITDA values vary widely, with Scandic Haugesund being one of the most profitable (11% EBITDA margin), while Røvær Havhotell had a negative margin of -17%. New entrants such as Cic Operations Haugesund AS have shown strong growth, but there is uncertainty about whether they can sustain this.

For entrepreneurs in the hotel industry in Haugesund, it is important to be aware of the large variations in sales and employees. The industry has shown resilience after the pandemic, but there is still uncertainty, especially in 2025–2026. Røvær has shown potential, but with challenges in EBITDA. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on stable markets such as Haugesund, where there are more companies and higher sales. It may also be possible to leverage new companies such as Cic Operations, but it is important to be realistic about costs and revenues. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and assess market prospects.

In the broader accommodation sector in Haugesund, there are 29 companies, showing that the hotel industry is part of a larger sector that also includes camping and short-term cabins. Sales in accommodation reached a peak of NOK 320 million in 2021, but fell to NOK 182 million in 2025. The key companies in accommodation that are not hotels include Haraldshaugen Camping AS (NOK 4.8 million in sales) and Fjordstuene Gjestegaard AS (NOK 89 thousand in sales). This shows that accommodation is more diversified, with both hotels and alternatives such as camping. Entrepreneurs should consider whether hotels or other accommodation formats are most profitable in Haugesund.

The hotel industry in Haugesund has both strengths and challenges. With 14 companies and over 170 employees, it is a significant sector, but it has shown unstable trends, especially after the pandemic. Entrepreneurs should be aware of market dynamics, including growth in Røvær and potential challenges in EBITDA. There are also opportunities in the broader accommodation sector, which includes camping and cabins. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and assess market prospects for new companies.