The devastating effects of the pandemic: Overnight hotel stays in Norway decreased by 41% last year

When the corona pandemic hit Norway last year, the hotel industry knew it was in for a rough year. The number of hotel visits fell by 41% – 5 million fewer than the year before.

Figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) show the pandemic’s dramatic consequence for commercial accommodation in Norway. 

There were around 70% fewer foreign guests and 17% fewer Norwegian visitors in 2020 than in 2019.

“2020 was a difficult year for many in the accommodation industry. In January and February, the number of overnight stays increased compared with the corresponding months the year before. 

“After restrictions (were put in place) to curb the pandemic, the industry ground to a halt. The exception was July, when many Norwegians went on holiday in Norway,” senior adviser Jarle Kvile at the SSB noted.

Total overnight stays

In total, the figures show that 23.7 million overnight stays were registered at hotels, cabins, hostels, and campsites last year. The year before, there were 35.2 million overnight stays.

Hotels registered approximately 14.7 million overnight stays last year, a decrease of 41%. There were 71% fewer foreign overnight stays and 29% fewer Norwegian overnight stays.

Although campsites were hit hard by the crisis, Norwegians choosing to spend their holidays at home helped boost overnight stays at campsites. 

“The number of Norwegian overnight stays at campsites increased by more than 1 million last year,” Kvile said.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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