The Hotel Industry in Øvre Eiker: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

The hotel industry in Øvre Eiker is a small but economically stable sector. There are two registered companies in the municipality, employing a total of 49 people. Sales have grown from 17.5 million NOK in 2020 to 31.3 million NOK in 2024, showing strong recovery after the coronavirus pandemic. EBITDA margins range between 8–11%, indicating good operational efficiency. No bankruptcies have been registered in the hotel sector in Øvre Eiker, suggesting a stable industry.

Economic Trends

Sales Development (2016–2025):

Employees (2016–2026):

The two hotels in the municipality have a high average income per employee (732,500 NOK) and good margins (75% gross and 3% operating). Sales have grown strongly after 2020, but there is a slight decline in 2025, which may be due to market fluctuations or competitive pressure.

Registered Companies

1. Sanden Hotell As (Haugsundgata 1, Hokksund)

• Legal Form: AS
• Founded: 2006-05-26
• Employees: 28
• Sales: 17.5M NOK
• EBITDA: 2.0M NOK
• Operating Result: 655,000 NOK

• Legal Form: AS
• Founded: 1993-11-29
• Employees: 21
• Sales: 13.8M NOK
• EBITDA: 640,000 NOK
• Operating Result: 579,000 NOK

Legal Form

• AS (2 companies): 49 employees, 31.8M NOK operating income, 8% EBITDA margin, 75% gross margin.

Geographic Distribution

Hokksund is the only location in the municipality with hotels. Here there are:

• 2 companies
• 49 employees
• 31.8M NOK operating income
• 31.3M NOK sales
• 13.4M NOK wages
• 1.2M NOK operating result
• 2.7M NOK EBITDA
• 23.5M NOK gross profit
• 6.5M NOK equity
• 17.1M NOK debt
• 0% sales growth
• 8% EBITDA margin
• 75% gross margin
• 3% operating margin

Hokksund is therefore the most important geographic center for the hotel industry in the municipality.

Operational Efficiency and Bankruptcy Statistics

There are no bankruptcy registrations in the hotel industry in Øvre Eiker, indicating a stable sector. However, the number of employees has varied significantly over the years, with a decline of 22.2% from 2017 to 2018 and an increase of 17.0% from 2023 to 2024. This may be due to variations in the tourism industry, especially in connection with the pandemic and subsequent recovery. EBITDA margins have remained at a high level (8–11%), indicating good operational efficiency.

Development Perspective for Entrepreneurs

The hotel industry in Øvre Eiker shows potential for growth, especially after 2022 when sales increased by 32.1% from 2021 to 2022. This may be due to increased tourist activity and market recovery after the pandemic. Hokksund is the most important geographic center, and it may be an advantage to focus on this area. However, competition in the sector is strong, and entrepreneurs must consider how they can differentiate themselves. Øvre Eiker has not registered any bankruptcies in the sector, indicating a stable industry, but it is important to closely follow market developments.

Comparison with the Accommodation Sector

Accommodation (parent category) includes 5 companies in Øvre Eiker, compared to 2 in the hotel sector. Sales in the accommodation sector have grown from 22.3M NOK in 2016 to 34.1M NOK in 2024, showing stronger growth than the hotel sector. The number of employees in the accommodation sector has also been higher, with 82 employees in 2016 and 72 in 2024. This suggests that the accommodation sector is more diversified and has greater capacity to adapt to market changes.

Peer Companies in the Accommodation Sector

• Hokksund Camping As (camping): 3.0M NOK sales, 25 employees, 445,000 NOK EBITDA
• Frans Gøran Rønning (short-term cabins): 0 NOK sales, 0 employees, 0 NOK EBITDA
• S Hamre L E Østerud (camping): 0 NOK sales, 0 employees, 0 NOK EBITDA

The accommodation sector therefore includes both hotels and alternatives such as camping and cabins, providing a broader market industry. Entrepreneurs should consider how they can integrate into this broad sector, especially if they seek to expand into alternative accommodation forms.

The hotel industry in Øvre Eiker is a small but economically stable sector with growth potential, especially after 2022. There are two registered companies with good operational efficiency and high margins. Hokksund is the most important geographic center, and it may be an advantage to focus on this area. However, competition in the sector is strong, and entrepreneurs must consider how they can differentiate themselves. The accommodation sector in the municipality is more diversified and has greater capacity to adapt to market changes. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Øvre Eiker for hotel or accommodation businesses, based on market development and local conditions.