The Hotel Industry in Notodden: Current Status and Outlook

The hotel industry in Notodden has a complex history marked by both development and challenges. In 2025, there are 3 registered companies in the industry, with a total payroll cost of NOK 5.8 million and a negative EBITDA of NOK -703,000. The industry has been characterized by significant fluctuations in payroll expenses and sales revenue, with a negative EBITDA margin of -6% in 2025. At the same time, data shows that the industry has experienced a decline in the number of employees from 2016 to 2020, followed by a rise in 2024. This indicates that the industry has been affected by both economic challenges and a degree of stabilization in recent times.

The hotel industry in Notodden has shown dynamic development in recent years. Sales revenue has varied between NOK 17.5 million in 2016 and NOK 14.6 million in 2023, with a decline of 16.4% from 2016 to 2020. Subsequently, there has been a gradual increase, with a rise of 37.6% from 2022 to 2023. The number of employees has also shown fluctuations, with a decline of 40.0% from 2019 to 2020, followed by a rise of 73.7% from 2023 to 2024. This shows that the industry has been affected by both crises and a degree of upturn in recent times.

In Notodden, there are 3 companies registered in the hotel industry. These companies are:

1. Telemark Hotelldrift As – Registered at Torvet 8, Notodden. The company was established in 2023 and has 29 employees. No bankruptcy has been registered for this company.

1. Brattrein Hotell As – Registered at Brattreins gate 9, Notodden. The company was established in 2002 and has 27 employees. No bankruptcy has been registered for this company.

1. Kjerringrokk B&B As – Registered at Skrivar Wessels veg 24, Notodden. The company was established in 2024 and has 0 employees. No bankruptcy has been registered for this company.

All companies are organized as AS, and 2 companies in this organizational form are registered in Notodden.

The hotel industry in Notodden is concentrated in the city of Notodden. There is 1 district or area in Notodden where the hotel industry is active, with 2 companies and 56 employees. This shows that the industry is concentrated in a single district, which may be a challenge for diversifying activities in the municipality.

The hotel industry in Notodden has been marked by bankruptcy and economic challenges. There are 2 companies in bankruptcy in the industry, which shows that the industry has been affected by economic problems. This may be a challenge for new actors wishing to establish themselves in the industry. At the same time, data shows that a new company was registered in 2024, which may indicate a degree of interest in the industry in recent times.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the hotel industry in Notodden, data shows that the industry has been affected by both economic challenges and a degree of stabilization in recent times. With a negative EBITDA margin of -6% and a decline in sales revenue of 16.4% from 2016 to 2020, it may be a challenge to establish oneself in the industry. At the same time, data shows that there has been an increase in the number of employees from 2023 to 2024, which may indicate a degree of upturn in the industry. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider both the economic challenges and opportunities for upturn in the industry before making decisions to establish themselves in Notodden.

When comparing the hotel industry with the broader accommodation industry in Notodden, data shows that the accommodation industry has more companies (18 companies) and a gradual increase in sales revenue. Sales revenue in the accommodation industry has shown a decline of 13.0% from 2016 to 2017, followed by a gradual increase in recent times. The number of employees in the accommodation industry has also shown a gradual increase, with a rise of 27.3% from 2025 to 2026. This shows that the accommodation industry has a more stable development than the hotel industry. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider opportunities in the accommodation industry, which includes camping and short-term cabins, as alternatives to the hotel industry.

The hotel industry in Notodden has shown both challenges and opportunities over the past few years. With a negative EBITDA margin and a degree of stabilization in recent times, it may be a challenge to establish oneself in the industry. At the same time, data shows that there are opportunities for upturn in the industry, especially with a gradual increase in the number of employees. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider both the economic challenges and opportunities for upturn in the industry before making decisions to establish themselves in Notodden. At the same time, it may be beneficial to consider opportunities in the broader accommodation industry, which includes camping and short-term cabins, as alternatives to the hotel industry.