Industry · municipality
The Hotel Industry in Strand
An analysis of companies, statistics, and outlook for 2025–2026
Executive Summary
The hotel industry in Strand is an important part of the municipality's economy, with four registered companies and a combination of stable and dynamic locations. The main locations are Jørpeland and Tau, therefore it is important to look at both economic trends and company structure. In 2025, data shows a sales growth of 13.2% compared to 2024, indicating a gradual recovery after a sharp decline in 2021. The average number of employees has also stabilized after falling to 45 in 2025, but has since increased to 59 in 2026. This shows that the industry has a certain degree of resilience, although there are variations between different locations and companies.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales:
- 2025: NOK 49.3 million (increase of 13.2% from 2024)
- 2024: NOK 43.6 million
- 2021: NOK 22.6 million (lowest point)
Employees:
- 2025: 45 employees
- 2026: 59 employees (increase of 31.1%)
- 2021: 49 employees (lowest point)
Yearly Development
- Sales showed a sharp decline of 35.3% from 2020 to 2021, but has since recovered with an increase of 69.2% from 2021 to 2022.
- Employees showed a sharp decline of 64.5% from 2020 to 2021, but have stabilized with an increase of 14.3% from 2021 to 2022.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
- Preikestolen Fjellstue Drift As (Jørpeland)
- Founded: 2019-01-24
- Employees: 52
- Sales: NOK 35.5 million
- EBITDA: NOK 2.1 million
- Lilland Hotell Drift As (Tau)
- Founded: 2011-12-15
- Employees: 15
- Sales: NOK 8.6 million
- EBITDA: NOK 1.5 million
- Verkshotellet As (Jørpeland)
- Founded: 2010-11-19
- Employees: 13
- Sales: NOK 6.4 million
- EBITDA: NOK 1.6 million
- Empery As (Forsand)
- Founded: 2015-07-06
- Employees: 0
- Sales: NOK 0
- EBITDA: NOK -31,000
Organizational Form
- AS: 3 companies, 80 employees, NOK 50.5 million in sales, 10% EBITDA margin.
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
Jørpeland (2 companies):
- Number of employees: 65
- Sales: NOK 41.9 million
- EBITDA: NOK 3.7 million
- Profit margin: 8%
- Sales growth: 8%
Tau (1 company):
- Number of employees: 15
- Sales: NOK 8.6 million
- EBITDA: NOK 1.5 million
- Profit margin: 17%
- Sales growth: 38%
Conclusion
Jørpeland is the most active location with higher sales and employees, while Tau has higher sales growth, but fewer employees.
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Dynamics
- Bankruptcies: No companies in the hotel industry in Strand are registered as bankrupt in 2025.
- Empery As has negative EBITDA (NOK -31,000) and no employees, which may indicate a weak position.
- Verkshotellet As has the highest EBITDA margin (23%) and high growth (19%) in 2025.
- Lilland Hotell Drift As has the highest EBITDA per employee (NOK 107,800) and high growth (38%) in 2025.
Outlook
Outlook for Founders
The hotel industry in Strand shows a gradual recovery after a sharp decline in 2021. With a 13.2% increase in sales from 2024 to 2025 and a 31.1% increase in employee numbers from 2025 to 2026, this indicates stabilization. Jørpeland and Tau are the most promising locations, with high sales and growth. Empery As' weak position may create opportunities for competitors, but it is important to be aware of competition and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses in Strand for the hotel industry.
Outlook for Accommodation
- Total number of accommodation companies: 15 (hotels are part of this)
- Accommodation sales: NOK 64.3 million in 2025 (increase of 6.4% from 2024)
- Accommodation employees: 78 in 2026 (increase of 32.2% from 2025)
Peer Companies in Accommodation (non-hotels):
| Name | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preikestolen Camping As | Preikestolvegen 97, 4105 Jørpeland | NOK 8.9M | 13 | NOK 2.7M |
| Cabinweb As | Tuånå 21, 4103 Jørpeland | NOK 5.5M | 4 | NOK 979K |
| Ajl Kantor | Ryfylkevegen 2831, 4121 Tau | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Brit Olsvik Sørskår Fjordhytter | Sørskårvegen 502, 4121 Tau | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The accommodation industry in Strand has higher sales and employees than the hotel industry, but hotels have higher EBITDA margins in some companies. Peer companies in camping and short-term cabins can be both competitors and complementary locations.
Other companies in overnatting (not in hotel)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preikestolen Camping As | camping | Preikestolvegen 97, 4105 Jørpeland | NOK 8.9M | 13 | NOK 2.7M |
| Cabinweb As | camping | Tuånå 21, 4103 Jørpeland | NOK 5.5M | 4 | NOK 979.0K |
| Ajl Kantor | camping | Ryfylkevegen 2831, 4121 Tau | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Brit Olsvik Sørskår Fjordhytter | camping | Sørskårvegen 502, 4121 Tau | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Lars Sigve Levik | short stay cabins | Levikvegen 11, 4110 Forsand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Lysefjord Hyttegrend V Hilde Levik | short stay cabins | Levikvegen 11, 4110 Forsand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Normisjon Region Rogaland Vaulali Leirsted | other accommodation | Tjøstheimsvegen 571, 4121 Tau | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Tysdal Holding As | camping | c/o Lysefjordsenteret as|Ryfylkevegen 61, 4110 Forsand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kristensen Holding As | short stay cabins | Tuånå 21, 4103 Jørpeland | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -16.0K |
| Svadla Holding As | short stay cabins | Øvre Brauta 19, 4105 Jørpeland | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -19.0K |
| D'arc Holding As | camping | Preikestolvegen 91, 4105 Jørpeland | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -36.0K |
Conclusion
The hotel industry in Strand shows a gradual recovery after a sharp decline in 2021, with a 13.2% increase in sales from 2024 to 2025 and a 31.1% increase in employee numbers from 2025 to 2026. Jørpeland and Tau are the most promising locations, with high sales and growth. Empery As' weak position may create opportunities for competitors, but it is important to be aware of competition and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses in Strand for the hotel industry.