Industry · municipality
Hotels in Midt Telemark
An analytical article about the industry, companies, and outlook in the municipality of Midt Telemark
Executive Summary
The hotel industry in Midt Telemark has a complex history marked by both strong growth and challenges. In 2020, the sector experienced an extreme increase in both sales and employees, indicating significant pressure from external factors such as the pandemic. This was followed by a decline in 2021, but there has been a gradual stabilization since. With 8 registered companies in the municipality, the industry is relatively small, but it exhibits a high degree of variation in financial results and organizational forms.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales figures for hotels in Midt Telemark have shown significant variation in recent years. From NOK 0 in 2016 to NOK 36.0 million in 2025, with an extreme increase of +176.9% in 2020. Employees have followed a similar trend, increasing from 0 to 142 in 2023 before being reduced to 88 in 2024. This demonstrates a highly dynamic industry with large variations from year to year.
Key Economic Figures
- Sales in 2025: NOK 36.0 million
- Employees in 2025: 88
- Year-over-year sales growth (2024→2025): -0.1%
- Year-over-year employee growth (2024→2025): -4.5%
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
In Midt Telemark, there are 8 companies registered in the hotel industry. The key companies include:
| Company | Address | Number of Employees | Organizational Form | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bø Hotell As | Gullbringvegen 32 | 79 | AS | NOK 415.0K |
| Lifjellstua As | Lifjellvegen 934 | 17 | AS | NOK 405.0K |
| Bø Vertshus | Bøgata 61 | 1 | AS | NOK 1.4M |
| Bø Lagerhotell As | Gullbringvegen 32 | 0 | AS | NOK 705.0K |
Organizational Forms
- AS: 4 companies, 101 employees, NOK 40.0M operating income, NOK 2.2M EBITDA, 5% EBITDA margin.
Business Geography
Distribution by Town/Location
The hotel industry in Midt Telemark is most active in Bø I Telemark, with 3 companies and 97 employees. Akkerhaugen has a very limited presence with only 1 company and 4 employees.
Bø I Telemark:
- Number of companies: 3
- Number of employees: 97
- Operating income: NOK 40.0M
- Sales: NOK 36.8M
- Wages: NOK 19.1M
- EBITDA: NOK 2.2M
- Gross profit: NOK 29.9M
- Total equity: NOK 7.7M
- Total debt: NOK 15.5M
Akkerhaugen:
- Number of companies: 1
- Number of employees: 4
- Operating income: NOK 0
- Sales: NOK 0
- Wages: NOK 0
- EBITDA: NOK 0
- Gross profit: NOK 0
- Total equity: NOK 0
- Total debt: NOK 0
Business Dynamism
Operational Dynamics
The hotel industry in Midt Telemark has been relatively stable with no bankruptcies registered in recent years. However, data shows that some companies have faced difficulties, such as Norsjøtunet As, which has 0 sales and 0 employees. This may indicate weak competitiveness or specific challenges in the local market.
Operational Results
- Bø Hotell As: NOK 415.0K EBITDA, 1% EBITDA margin
- Lifjellstua As: NOK 405.0K EBITDA, 6% EBITDA margin
- Bø Vertshus: NOK 1.4M EBITDA, 53% EBITDA margin
- Bø Lagerhotell As: NOK 705.0K EBITDA, 60% EBITDA margin
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The hotel industry in Midt Telemark presents both opportunities and challenges for new entrepreneurs. The extreme growth in 2020 indicates strong demand for hotel services, but the subsequent decline in 2021 and 2024 also shows some vulnerability. With an average EBITDA margin of 17% and stable sales volume of approximately NOK 36 million, it may be possible to establish oneself in a market segment that has proven resilient. However, it is important to be aware of local competitors and the financial challenges highlighted in the data.
Outlook for Accommodation
Comparison with Accommodation
The broader accommodation industry in Midt Telemark has a greater presence than hotels, with 24 companies. Sales figures for accommodation have been higher, at NOK 66.0 million in 2025 compared to hotels' NOK 36.0 million. Employee numbers in accommodation have also been higher, with 190 employees in 2026. This shows that accommodation is a more extensive sector, but hotels have a higher average EBITDA margin (17% vs. 10% for accommodation).
Other companies in overnatting (not in hotel)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverøya Camping As | camping | Gvarvvegen 80, 3801 Bø I Telemark | NOK 14.7M | 31 | NOK 2.6M |
| Hegnaland Da | camping | ØVRE, 3800 Bø I Telemark | NOK 9.8M | 0 | NOK 1.4M |
| Sanda Camping Og Hytteutleie As | camping | Seljordvegen 915, 3803 Bø I Telemark | NOK 2.3M | 0 | NOK 603.0K |
| Teksten Camping As | camping | c/o Teksten|Strannavegen 140, 3810 Gvarv | NOK 135.0K | 6 | NOK 210.0K |
| Aafløy Utleie Og Overnatting | short stay cabins | Nesoddvegen 40, 3810 Gvarv | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Astrid Kaasa Invest As | camping | Utsikten 3, 3801 Bø I Telemark | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Boonstra Lystang Camping | camping | Lystang Camping|Sauheradvegen 1344, 3683 Notodden | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| First Camp Bø | camping | Lifjellvegen 51, 3804 Bø I Telemark | NOK 0 | 37 | NOK 0 |
| First Camp Norsjø | camping | Liagrendvegen 71, 3812 Akkerhaugen | NOK 0 | 49 | NOK 0 |
| Lystang As | camping | Sauheradvegen 1344, 3683 Notodden | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Norsjø Ungdomssenter | camping | Norsjøvegen 201, 3812 Akkerhaugen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Strømmen Drift & Consult | short stay cabins | Nordbøbakken 12, 3803 Bø I Telemark | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Åsgrav Familiecamping As | camping | Gvarvvegen 204, 3801 Bø I Telemark | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Lifjell Skisenter As Avd Utleie Leiligheter | camping | Krintovegen 70, 3804 Bø I Telemark | NOK 607.2K | 3 | NOK -29.7K |
| Stiftelsen Jønnbu Fjellkyrkje Og Ungdomssenter | short stay cabins | Lifjellvegen 966, 3804 Bø I Telemark | NOK 1.3M | 7 | NOK -30.0K |
| Sa Kaasa Holding As | camping | Gvarvvegen 55, 3801 Bø I Telemark | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -80.0K |
Conclusion
The hotel industry in Midt Telemark has a complex history marked by both strong growth and challenges. With a relatively small presence compared to accommodation, there may be room for development, especially with the high EBITDA margins shown in the data. However, it is important to be aware of local competitors and the financial challenges highlighted in the data. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations within the municipality to establish themselves in this industry.