The Hotel Industry in Indre Østfold: Current Status and Outlook

The hotel industry in Indre Østfold has shown both strengths and challenges in recent years. With 7 registered companies and 54 employees in 2026, the industry is relatively small but concentrated in Mysen. Economically, the industry has had an interesting development, with a peak in 2020 (NOK 78.5 million in sales) followed by a decline in subsequent years. However, the broader accommodation company group (overnight stay) in the municipality has a larger scale and higher sales, which could provide interesting comparisons for entrepreneurs.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employee Development:

Sales experienced an extreme increase in 2020 (+135% from 2019), but has since declined by -4.4% from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has been more stable, with an average level of around 50 employees in recent years. The most dramatic change in employees was in 2019 (+50% from 2018).

Registered Companies in the Industry

Key Companies:

1. Indre Østfold Hotelldrift As (Mysen):

• Largest company with 51 employees and sales of NOK 41.8 million in 2025.
• Organizational form: AS, established 1993.

1. Bilitt Gård Jeanette Lysell (Hobøl):

• Sole proprietorship with 4 employees, but no sales or operating profit in 2025.

1. Mysebu Arrangement As (Mysen):

• 3 employees, with 28% sales growth in 2025 and an EBITDA margin of 3%.

1. Trattoria Galtebo As (Spydeberg):

• Two companies with the same org.nr. and operating profit of NOK 102,000 in 2025, but with negative equity.

Organizational Forms:

• AS: 2 companies, 54 employees, NOK 46.4M in operating income.
• ENK: 1 company, 4 employees, no operating profit.

Geographical Distribution of Activity

Highest Activity in Mysen:

• 2 companies, 54 employees, NOK 46.4M in operating income and NOK 4.7M in EBITDA.
• Highest operating income per employee (NOK 900,700) and highest EBITDA margin (10%).

Hobøl:

• 1 company (Bilitt Gård), but no operating profit or sales in 2025.
• No activity in the accommodation company group (overnight stay) in this area.

Other Cities:

• Spydeberg and Trøgstad have small companies with low activity, but no significant contribution to sales or employees.

Bankruptcies:

• No bankruptcies registered in the hotel industry in Indre Østfold in 2025.
• However, some companies show negative EBITDA (e.g., Gjestehuset På Momarken and Roar Wedding As), which may signal economic challenges.

Operating Results:

• Indre Østfold Hotelldrift As has the highest EBITDA (NOK 4.6M) and highest operating income (NOK 41.8M).
• Trattoria Galtebo As has a high EBITDA margin (30%) but negative equity (NOK -382,000).

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The hotel industry in Indre Østfold has shown both strengths and weaknesses. With a sales peak in 2020, it may indicate that tourism in the region has potential, but the decline after 2020 shows sensitivity to external factors (e.g., pandemics, economic downturns). Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on:

• Niche sectors: Such as events or specialized accommodation offerings (e.g., camping, which is part of the accommodation company group).
• Efficient operations: With a high EBITDA margin (10%) in Mysen, it may be possible to achieve profitability with a focus on cost control.
• Location: Mysen is still the main activity area, but entrepreneurs should also consider potential areas such as Spydeberg or Trøgstad.

Accommodation (parent category):

• Has 13 companies, 59 employees and sales of NOK 42.4M in 2025.
• Larger scale than the hotel industry, with higher sales in 2020 (NOK 82.1M vs. NOK 78.5M for hotels).

Peer companies in accommodation:

Conclusion: The accommodation company group has greater diversity and potential, but the hotel industry has higher operating income per employee (NOK 900,700 vs. NOK 860,400 in accommodation). Entrepreneurs should consider combining hotel activity with accommodation offerings to leverage the market's broader potential.

The hotel industry in Indre Østfold has both opportunities and challenges. With a relatively stable number of employees and high operating income per employee in Mysen, it may be profitable to invest in this area. However, sales are more sensitive to external factors, and entrepreneurs should consider combining hotel activity with accommodation offerings to leverage the market's broader potential. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal addresses and evaluate development opportunities in the municipality.