Industry · municipality
The Hotel Industry in Melhus
An analysis of companies, statistics, and outlooks
Executive Summary
The hotel industry in Melhus is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. This analysis provides an overview of companies, economic trends, and opportunities for entrepreneurs. This industry shows both strengths and challenges, with a combination of stabilization and fluctuations in sales and employees.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
In 2025, the hotel industry in Melhus had total sales of NOK 299.2K, with an annual growth of +16.6% compared to 2024. This is a significant improvement after a decline of -83.4% in 2023. Employees in the industry stabilized at 4 employees in 2026, following an increase from 2 employees in 2021. There is a clear fluctuation in employee numbers, with a peak of 6 employees in 2023.
Key Economic Figures
- EBITDA margin: 13% (2025)
- Gross margin: 72% (2025)
- Total debt: NOK 1.6M (2025)
- Equity: NOK 87.0K (2025)
These figures show that the industry has a relatively good operating margin, but a high debt level.



Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
In Melhus, there are 2 companies registered in the hotel industry:
| Company | Address | Legal Form | Employees | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strandheimen Gjestehus As | Gamle Kongeveg 40B, Melhus | AS | 4 | NOK 300.0K | NOK 200.0K |
| Tiril Havdal Keramikkverksted | Øvre Havdal Havdalsvegen 37, Melhus | ENK | 0 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
Note: Tiril Havdal Keramikkverksted is registered in the hotel industry, but has no activity (0 sales, 0 employees). This may indicate misregistration or a company structure that does not operate within the hotel industry.
Legal Forms
- AS: 1 company (Strandheimen Gjestehus As)
- ENK: 1 company (Tiril Havdal Keramikkverksted)
Business Geography
Distribution by Location
There is 1 location in Melhus with activity in the hotel industry:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melhus | 1 | 4 | NOK 300.0K | NOK 200.0K |
There are no details about specific locations within Melhus, but it is clear that activity is concentrated in central areas.

Business Dynamics
- Bankrupt companies: There are no registered bankruptcies in the hotel industry in Melhus in 2025.
- Operating results: Strandheimen Gjestehus As had an operating profit of NOK 93.0K in 2025, with an operating profit per employee of NOK 347.6K.
- EBITDA per employee: NOK 48.5K (2025)
Conclusion: The industry shows relatively stable operations, with a single company size dominating. There are no clear bankruptcies, but it is a small sector with limited diversification.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The hotel industry in Melhus shows stable but fluctuating trends. With a sales growth of +16.6% in 2025 and stabilization of employee numbers, it may be possible to establish oneself in this sector. However, it is important to be aware of:
- High debt levels: Strandheimen Gjestehus As has a debt of NOK 1.6M, which may affect financing opportunities.
- Small market size: With only 2 companies, competition is limited, but it also provides limited scale.
- Operating results: The EBITDA margin of 13% shows good operations, but it is a small sector that may be sensitive to market changes.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Melhus with a focus on quality and local connections, given the small-scale nature of the industry and potential tourist flows in the region.
Outlook for the Accommodation Sector
The Accommodation Sector in Melhus
The broader accommodation sector (NACE code 59) in Melhus has 9 companies, compared to 2 companies in the hotel industry. This shows that the accommodation sector is more diversified, including camping and other accommodation.
#### Economic Comparisons
| Category | Sales (2025) | Employees (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel | NOK 299.2K | 4 |
| Accommodation (total) | NOK 8.6M | 29 |
The accommodation sector has a higher sales volume and more employees, indicating a more developed sector.
#### Peer Companies in the Accommodation Sector
| Company | Industry | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Øysand Camping As | Camping | NOK 7.1M | NOK 2.6M | 24 |
| Kvål Gjesteheim As | Other accommodation | NOK 0 | NOK 671.0K | 0 |
| Svorksjøen Camping Drift As | Camping | NOK 0 | NOK 0 | 8 |
Conclusion: The accommodation sector in Melhus has a larger scale and higher operating results, which can provide hotel industry entrepreneurs with opportunities for collaboration or differentiation.



Other companies in overnatting (not in hotel)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Øysand Camping As | camping | Gamle Kongeveg 56, 7224 Melhus | NOK 7.1M | 24 | NOK 2.6M |
| Kvål Gjesteheim As | other accommodation | 0, 7228 Kvål | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 671.0K |
| Gran Fisketurisme | camping | Øymælen 130, 7224 Melhus | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kjelstad Camping | camping | Lundamovegen 285, 7232 | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sverre Nordhammer | camping | Valdøyan, Grinnisvegen 41, 7232 Lundamo | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Svorksjøen Camping Drift As | camping | Hølondvegen 3460, 7213 Gåsbakken | NOK 0 | 8 | NOK 0 |
| Edgars Holding As | camping | Åsvegen 129, 7224 Melhus | NOK 96.0K | 2 | NOK -505.0K |
Conclusion
The hotel industry in Melhus is a small but potentially stable sector with opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in a business area with local connections. With a sales increase of +16.6% in 2025 and stabilization of employee numbers, it may be possible to establish oneself in this sector. However, it is important to be aware of high debt levels and small market size.
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and locations in Melhus for the hotel industry, with a focus on tourist flows and local connections.