Industry · municipality
The Hotel Industry in Lillehammer: Current Status and Outlook
Economic overview, companies, and future opportunities for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers
Executive Summary
The hotel industry in Lillehammer is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 11 registered companies and over 387 employees. The industry has shown both strength and challenges over time, with a significant decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, but a gradual recovery since. Key players such as Scandic Lillehammer and Birkebeineren Hotell As dominate the market, while smaller companies such as Mølla Drift As and Koan Lillehammer As have shown variable economic performance. Outlooks for the future point toward stabilization, but with a need for differentiation and efficiency.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales Development (NOK):
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 136,9M | - |
| 2017 | 194,2M | +41.8% |
| 2018 | 225.7M | +16.2% |
| 2019 | 143.3M | -36.5% |
| 2020 | 71.5M | -50.1% |
| 2021 | 104.5M | +46.0% |
| 2022 | 161.7M | +54.8% |
| 2023 | 179.2M | +10.8% |
| 2024 | 175.6M | -2.0% |
| 2025 | 175.3M | -0.2% |
Employees (Number):
| Year | Number of Employees | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 349 | - |
| 2017 | 388 | +11.2% |
| 2018 | 383 | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 282 | -26.4% |
| 2020 | 259 | -8.2% |
| 2021 | 230 | -11.2% |
| 2022 | 285 | +23.9% |
| 2023 | 310 | +8.8% |
| 2024 | 325 | +4.8% |
| 2025 | 297 | -8.6% |
| 2026 | 345 | +16.2% |
The industry experienced a sharp decline in 2020, but has since recovered with an increase of over 50% from 2020 to 2022. Employees have shown a more stable development, with an increase of 16.2% from 2025 to 2026.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
Lillehammer has 11 registered companies in the hotel industry, with the following organizational forms:
- AS (Anonymous Companies): 6 companies, 387 employees, NOK 53.2M operating income, NOK 7.6M EBITDA, 14% EBITDA margin.
Important companies include:
- Scandic Lillehammer (Turisthotellvegen 6): 155 employees, operating income NOK 0 (data missing).
- Birkebeineren Hotell As (Birkebeinervegen 24): 51 employees, NOK 31.2M operating income, NOK 6.3M EBITDA, 20% EBITDA margin.
- Koan Lillehammer As (Jernbanetorget 4): 31 employees, NOK 22.0M operating income, NOK 1.4M EBITDA, 6% EBITDA margin.
Note: Some companies have missing financial data, which can affect analysis and evaluation of potential investments.
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
All 11 companies in the hotel industry are registered in Lillehammer itself, without subdivision into sub-areas. This shows that the industry is centrally located in the municipality's main town, which can be both an advantage and a challenge in terms of market share and competition.
Business Dynamics
Operational Efficiency and Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies: There are no registered bankruptcies in the hotel industry in Lillehammer, which shows a relative stabilization in the industry. However, some companies show negative financial indicators:
- Elveseter Holding As: NOK -36.0K EBITDA, 0 employees.
- Villa Tranen As (two companies): NOK -62.0K EBITDA, 0 employees.
- Strandpromenaden Motell As: NOK 170.0K EBITDA, 0 employees, but a high EBITDA margin of 74%.
Conclusion: Although there are no bankruptcies, some companies show weak financial results, which can be a challenge for future growth.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The hotel industry in Lillehammer shows potential for growth, especially after the recovery from 2020. With 345 employees in 2026 and a stabilization in sales (NOK 175.3M in 2025), it may be possible to develop new offerings or improve existing ones. Outlooks point to an increase in tourism, but competition is strong, and there is a need for efficiency and differentiation. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and evaluate economic opportunities in the municipality.
Parent Outlook
Comparison with Accommodation
Accommodation (parent category):
- Number of companies: 29 (hotels: 11, camping, short-term cabins, etc.).
- Sales (NOK): NOK 264.3M in 2025, with an annual increase of +37.3% from 2021 to 2022.
- Employees: 737 in 2026, with an increase of +7.9% from 2025 to 2026.
Peer companies in accommodation (non-hotel):
- Hunderfossen Resort As: NOK 32.8M sales, NOK 9.0M EBITDA, 471 employees.
- Dampsaga Drift As: NOK 12.5M sales, NOK 1.9M EBITDA, 18 employees.
- Lillehammer Turistsenter As: NOK 704.0K sales, NOK 801.0K EBITDA, 18 employees.
Conclusion: The accommodation industry in Lillehammer is more diversified and has higher sales and employees than the hotel industry alone. This can give entrepreneurs opportunities to develop offerings in camping or short-term cabins, which are less competitive than traditional hotels.
Other companies in overnatting (not in hotel)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunderfossen Resort As | resort / hotel | Fossekrovegen 22, 2625 Fåberg | NOK 32.8M | 471 | NOK 9.0M |
| Hunderfossen Hotel & Resort Avd Hotell | resort / hotel | Fossekrovegen 71, 2625 Fåberg | NOK 38.6M | 78 | NOK 3.8M |
| Hunderfossen Camping | camping | Hunderfossen Camping, 2625 Fåberg | NOK 222.0K | 6 | NOK 2.0M |
| Dampsaga Drift As | camping | Dampsagvegen 47, 2609 Lillehammer | NOK 12.5M | 18 | NOK 1.9M |
| Lillehammer Turistsenter As | camping | Sandheimsbakken 20, 2619 Lillehammer | NOK 704.0K | 18 | NOK 801.0K |
| Lillehammer Fjellstue Og Hytteutleie As | short stay cabins | Nordsetervegen 1336, 2618 Lillehammer | NOK 13.1M | 12 | NOK 707.0K |
| Nordseter Drift Fjellpark | camping | Nordsetervegen 1363, 2618 Lillehammer | NOK 5.3M | 2 | NOK 165.0K |
| Baissa | short stay cabins | Kløverenga 33, 2611 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Bakke Camping | camping | Paul A. Owrens veg 241, 2607 Vingrom | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dobbert Dome Glamping Lillehammer | short stay cabins | Kantvegen 65, 2618 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Gjestebu Overnatting | camping | Gamlev 110, 2615 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Gudbrandsdalen Rental Hub As | short stay cabins | Storgata 121, 2615 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Hunderfossen Hotell & Resort Avd Campingplass | resort / hotel | Fossekrovegen 71, 2625 Fåberg | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Nordtroms Hytteferie Da | camping | Suttestadvegen 13, 2613 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Svein Øie | short stay cabins | Sagbakken 89, 2618 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Tvete Karlsen | short stay cabins | Kirkegata 4, 2609 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Friis Mørch Holding As | short stay cabins | Nordseter, 2618 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -54.0K |
| Nordseter Invest As | camping | Thorstein Lundes veg 3B, 2615 Lillehammer | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -262.0K |
Conclusion
The hotel industry in Lillehammer has shown both strength and challenges over time, with a significant recovery after the pandemic. With 11 companies and over 387 employees, the industry is centrally located in the municipality. Outlooks point toward stabilization, but with a need for differentiation and efficiency. Entrepreneurs should consider opportunities in a competitive market, and SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and evaluate economic opportunities in the municipality.