The Hotel Industry in Steinkjer: Current Status and Outlook

The hotel industry in Steinkjer features a mix of established companies and newer initiatives. There are a total of 5 companies registered in the municipality, with a combination of AS companies and some with few employees. The most prominent companies are Quality Hotel Grand Steinkjer and Malm Hotel, which together account for over 90% of the total number of employees in the sector. Kvam Motell and Bjerkem Holding, however, have no operational results, which may indicate that they are newly established or not actively operating. The sector shows a mix of stability and challenges, with positive development in 2022–2023, but a decline in 2024.

The hotel industry in Steinkjer has experienced variations in sales and number of employees over time. Sales figures fell sharply by 43.6% in 2020, but recovered with +16.8% in 2021 and +47.0% in 2022. In 2025, sales figures were NOK 50.4 million, indicating a gradual recovery. The number of employees decreased from 123 in 2016 to 55 in 2026, with a brief increase in 2022 and 2023. EBITDA margins are at 11% for Steinkjer and -1% for Malm, showing significant variations between companies.

The following companies are registered in the hotel sector in Steinkjer:

Most companies are AS companies, and there are no registered bankruptcies in the sector. Kvam Motell and Bjerkem Holding have no operational results, which may indicate that they are not actively operating or are newly established.

Hotel activity in Steinkjer is divided into two areas:

1. Steinkjer: 2 companies, 56 employees, sales of NOK 51.5M, EBITDA of NOK 5.5M.
2. Malm: 1 company, 10 employees, sales of NOK 4.8M, EBITDA of NOK -54K.

Steinkjer accounts for over 90% of the total number of employees and sales in the sector, while Malm has a weaker financial position with negative EBITDA.

The sector shows relative stability with no registered bankruptcies. Quality Hotel Grand Steinkjer has a strong financial position with a high EBITDA margin (11%) and high sales growth (18%). Malm Hotel, however, has a negative EBITDA (-1%) and a sales decline of 6%, which may be a challenge for the company. Kvam Motell and Bjerkem Holding have no operational results, which may indicate that they are not actively operating or are newly established.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the hotel sector in Steinkjer, the data show a mix of opportunities and challenges. Steinkjer has a stable establishment with established companies like Quality Hotel Grand Steinkjer, which can provide a good starting point for collaboration or inspiration. Malm, however, has a weaker financial position, which may be an opportunity for new players with innovation or differentiation. It is also important to be aware of the high competition from existing companies, especially in Steinkjer.

In the broader accommodation sector (industry2) in Steinkjer, there are 11 companies, showing that the hotel sector is part of a larger market. Sales figures for accommodation in 2025 were NOK 53.0M, which is slightly higher than the hotel sector (NOK 50.4M). Establishments in the camping and outdoor sectors, such as Føllingstua As and Gipling Caravan Og Fritid As, show that there is a diversification of accommodation offerings in the municipality. This can provide opportunities for entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in a different form of accommodation than traditional hotels.

The hotel industry in Steinkjer shows a mix of stability and challenges. With established companies like Quality Hotel Grand Steinkjer and a gradual recovery after 2020, the sector can be an attractive market for entrepreneurs. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the competition and economic challenges in certain parts of the municipality. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to establish themselves in this sector.