The Hotel Industry in Skien: Current Status and Outlook

The hotel industry in Skien is a small but dynamic sector with four registered companies. In recent years, the industry has shown both strong growth and challenges, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. There is a clear variation in financial performance among the companies, with some achieving positive EBITDA values and others facing losses. The industry is part of the broader accommodation sector, which includes camping and short-term cabins, and has a unique position in Vestfold and Telemark.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees:

The industry experienced a sharp decline in sales in 2020 (77.1% fewer revenues) due to the coronavirus pandemic, but showed a strong rebound in 2021 (107% increase). The most significant increase was recorded in 2025, with a 504.6% increase in sales compared to 2024. Employees have shown more stable variations, with a significant increase in 2022 (68.3% increase) and a decline in 2026 (9.6% fewer employees).

Registered Companies

The following companies are registered in the hotel industry in Skien:

1. Hotel Bryggeparken As (Langbrygga 7, Skien) – 46 employees, EBITDA of 3.1M NOK.
2. Thon Hotel Høyers (Kongens gate 6, Skien) – 37 employees, EBITDA of -5.8M NOK.
3. Dag Bondeheim As (Prinsessegata 7, Skien) – 5 employees, EBITDA of -3.7M NOK.
4. Kazan Hotel As (Skien) – 0 employees, no revenues.

All companies are organized as AS (Aкционерное общество). There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but several companies report negative EBITDA values.

The hotel industry in Skien is concentrated in the municipality's center. There is registered activity in Skien with 3 companies and 88 employees. There are no specific sub-areas or districts highlighted in the data.

The industry has proven to be relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy. There are no registered bankruptcies among the four companies. However, financial data show that some companies face significant challenges, especially Thon Hotel Høyers and Dag Bondeheim As, which report negative EBITDA values. This may indicate increased operating costs or lower revenues compared to competitors.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The hotel industry in Skien shows potential for growth, especially after the strong rebound in 2025. This development may be due to increased tourism or effective operational improvements by existing companies. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of the financial challenges shown in the data, especially the negative EBITDA values of some companies. It may be profitable to explore innovation in operational models or differentiation of offerings to create competitive improvements. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Skien for hotel operations.

The broader accommodation sector in Skien includes not only hotels, but also camping and short-term cabins. This sector has 17 companies, showing a greater diversification than the hotel industry. Compared to the hotel industry, the accommodation sector has a similar development in sales, with a sharp increase in 2025 (511.9% increase). However, data show that many companies in the accommodation sector have low or negative EBITDA, which may indicate a general challenge in the sector. Examples of companies in the accommodation sector that are not hotels include camping and cabin operations, such as Solvika Campingsenter As and Kebe As. These companies have lower revenues and EBITDA values compared to hotels, but may represent an alternative model for entrepreneurs.

The hotel industry in Skien shows both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs. With a strong rebound in sales after 2020 and growth in 2025, it may be a good time to invest in the sector. However, it is important to be aware of the financial challenges shown in the data, especially the negative EBITDA values of some companies. Entrepreneurs should consider combining hotel operations with other accommodation offerings, such as camping or cabins, to create a more robust model. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and strategies to ensure success in Skien.