The Hotel Industry in Østre Toten: Current Status and Future Prospects

The hotel industry in Østre Toten is a small but dynamic sector with three registered companies. The three companies primarily operate in Lena and Skreia, with a combination of AS and ENK organizational forms. Economically, the sector has been marked by variations in sales and operating results over the years, with a negative EBITDA margin in 2023. Although no companies are registered in bankruptcy, the figures show a weakly stabilized employment level with approximately 5 employees in 2025. Prospects for new entrants must be assessed in light of the small-scale market and the challenges related to operating results and competition from broader accommodation companies.

Economic trends for the hotel industry in Østre Toten show a complex development over the years. Sales have varied between NOK 1.6 million and NOK 3.5 million, with an increase from 2022 to 2023, followed by a weak decline in 2024. Employment has been more stable, with an average level of approximately 5 employees since 2021. The EBITDA margin has been negative in 2023, indicating challenges in operating results. At the same time, total debt and equity for the registered companies were NOK 685,000 and NOK 576,000 in 2023, which may indicate increased financing challenges.

In Østre Toten, there are three companies registered in the hotel industry:

1. Hoff Gjestgiveri As (Totenvegen 105, Lena) – AS organization with 5 employees, operating result of NOK -177,000 and EBITDA of NOK -158,000 in 2023.
2. Faarlund B&B Erik Petter Bergh (Fårlundsgutua 41, Skreia) – ENK organization with 0 employees and no operating result in 2023.
3. Faarlund B&B Erik Petter Bergh (Fårlundsgutua 41, Skreia) – ENK organization with 0 employees and no operating result in 2023.

Organizational form statistics show that there is one AS and two ENK companies in the sector. None of the companies are registered in bankruptcy, but two of them have no operating result or sales in 2023.

Geographically, the hotel industry in Østre Toten mainly operates in two areas:

• Lena: One company (Hoff Gjestgiveri As) with 5 employees, operating result of NOK -177,000 and EBITDA of NOK -158,000 in 2023.
• Skreia: Two companies (Faarlund B&B Erik Petter Bergh) with 0 employees and no operating result in 2023.

This shows that Lena is the primary center for hotel activity, while Skreia has a smaller presence with companies that did not operate actively in 2023.

The operational dynamics in the hotel industry in Østre Toten show a mix of stability and challenges. None of the registered companies are in bankruptcy, but two of them have no operating result or sales in 2023. The sector's EBITDA margin has been negative in 2023, indicating operational challenges. At the same time, sales and number of employees have been variable over the years, with an increase from 2022 to 2023, followed by a decline in 2024. This may indicate a weakly stabilized sector with potential challenges in the future.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a hotel business in Østre Toten, it is important to assess both opportunities and challenges. The sector is small with only three companies, which may provide opportunities for market share but also challenges in relation to competition from broader accommodation companies. Sales showed an increase from 2022 to 2023 but later declined. The EBITDA margin has been negative, indicating operational challenges. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider analyzing local market needs and potential collaboration opportunities with existing actors.

The broader accommodation sector in Østre Toten (the category accommodation) has a larger number of companies (8) compared to the hotel industry (3). Sales in the accommodation sector have been more stable, increasing from NOK 5.7 million in 2016 to NOK 7.5 million in 2025. Employment has also been more stable, with an average level of approximately 13 employees since 2022. Peer companies in the accommodation sector include camping and youth hostels, which may provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to diversify offerings. At the same time, EBITDA figures for accommodation companies show a more stable development compared to the hotel industry.

The hotel industry in Østre Toten is a small but dynamic sector with potential opportunities for entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in the region. Although the sector has been marked by variations in sales and operating results, the figures show a weakly stabilized employment level and a growing accommodation sector that may provide opportunities for diversification. Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing local market needs and potential collaboration opportunities with existing actors. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses and develop strategies to ensure competitive business models in this sector.