Ana M. López
Research expert covering travel, tourism and hospitality
Accommodation in Norway - statistics & facts
Accommodation in Norway is just as diverse as the opportunities are many. Whether it is hotels overlooking fjords, camping sites surrounded by nature, or fancy boutique-hotels in the city, there is something for every traveler. The number of accommodation establishments has increased over the past years. This was especially true for holiday apartments and campsites, indicating that a growing number of tourists prefer these types of accommodation. However, hotels constitute the highest number of accommodation types in the country.
Although the demand for campsites and holiday apartments is increasing, staying in a hotel also continues being the most popular option among Norwegians. In fact, the hotel sector is by far the largest and most profitable of the entire accommodation industry in Norway. The number of employees reached nearly 31 thousand as of 2018, and the hotel sector generates the highest revenue compared to all other accommodation types.
Norway is one of the largest countries in Europe, and naturally some counties attract more visitors than others. With 379 establishments, the Northern county, Nordland, had the highest number of accommodation sites in 2018. By comparison, the county of the capital city, Oslo, counted 132 establishments the same year. Which regions receive the most overnight stays depends on whether domestic or international tourists are being considered. While the regions of Oslo and Akershus are the most popular among international travelers, the vast majority of domestic tourists prefer Eastern Norway.
Many Norwegians own holiday houses, so-called "hytta" in Norwegian, and there is a strong tradition of spending both summer and winter vacations in such accommodation. While many holiday houses belong to Norwegian families and go back many generations, the demand for holiday houses has increased over the past decade. In 2020, there were 437,833 holiday houses in Norway, most of which were located in the counties Innlandet and Viken.
Although the demand for campsites and holiday apartments is increasing, staying in a hotel also continues being the most popular option among Norwegians. In fact, the hotel sector is by far the largest and most profitable of the entire accommodation industry in Norway. The number of employees reached nearly 31 thousand as of 2018, and the hotel sector generates the highest revenue compared to all other accommodation types.
Norway is one of the largest countries in Europe, and naturally some counties attract more visitors than others. With 379 establishments, the Northern county, Nordland, had the highest number of accommodation sites in 2018. By comparison, the county of the capital city, Oslo, counted 132 establishments the same year. Which regions receive the most overnight stays depends on whether domestic or international tourists are being considered. While the regions of Oslo and Akershus are the most popular among international travelers, the vast majority of domestic tourists prefer Eastern Norway.
Many Norwegians own holiday houses, so-called "hytta" in Norwegian, and there is a strong tradition of spending both summer and winter vacations in such accommodation. While many holiday houses belong to Norwegian families and go back many generations, the demand for holiday houses has increased over the past decade. In 2020, there were 437,833 holiday houses in Norway, most of which were located in the counties Innlandet and Viken.
